Mobile SEO

[CraigAddyman]

Hey,

In the following article, Google recommended using a 301 redirect but doesn't specify why.

http://googlewebmastercentral.blogspot.co.uk/2011/02/making-websites-mobile-friendly.html

I assume this is to pass over link equity to the relevant mobile/desktop variation. Can anyone confirm this? Also is there any other reason? Again assuming this would keep the correct URLs in the correct index?

Anything else anyone can chip in would be great.

Thanks

[Andy.Drinkwater]

Hey Craig,

OK, so what Google say:

"A very common question we see is: Does it matter if the different types of content are served from the same URL or from different URLs? For example, some websites have www.example.com as the URL desktop browsers are meant to access and have m.example.com or wap.example.com for the different mobile devices. Other websites serve all types of content from just one URL structure like www.example.com.

For Googlebot and Googlebot-Mobile, it does not matter what the URL structure is as long as it returns exactly what a user sees too. For example, if you redirect mobile users from www.example.com to m.example.com, that will be recognized by Googlebot-Mobile and both websites will be crawled and added to the correct index. In this case, use a 301 redirect for both users and Googlebot-Mobile."

This just suggests that a search on a mobile device directs the user to the mobile version of the site, if it exists. I can't see any other reasons in there and don't think there is any hidden meaning of any sort.

Hope that helps a little.

Andy

[CraigAddyman]

Hey Andy,

Thanks for your reply.

I know what your saying and I understand the mechanics of specific user-agents being redirected - However they are stating here that it should be a 301 redirect.

I have since seen on the developer forum that it doesn't matter what you use (301 or 302). What I am after is is there any benefit of doing a 301 over a 302?

As above, you would think a 301 would pass over any build up link equity to help it rank, is this the case?

[Andy.Drinkwater]

I would only use a 302 if it really is only temporary Craig. Stick with 301's as they will do a better job.

As far as I am aware, a 302 will never pass any link-juice on whereas a 301 will pass around 90%. Still pretty sure those are the case.

Andy

[CraigAddyman]

Again, I know this.

Have you launched a mobile site?

[Andy.Drinkwater]

So you said...

"As above, you would think a 301 would pass over any build up link equity to help it rank, is this the case?"

I say yes...

"As far as I am aware, a 302 will never pass any link-juice on whereas a 301 will pass around 90%. Still pretty sure those are the case."

You say...

"Again, I know this."

... Maybe I am missing something, but if you know, then why ask?

No, not launched a mobile site myself, but have helped others with the SEO and setup.

Andy