Duplicate url problem causing me problems

[ClaireH-184886]

Hi, i am working with a joomla site and i am using the sh404sef plugin. I have contacted the developer of the plugin who has not been very helpful so i am hoping to get help here.

The problem i am having is, the description of the page showing in google listings is not the same as what i have put into the meta tag description.

for example, for this page

http://www.clairehegarty.co.uk/virtual-gastric-band-with-hypnotherapy

the meta tag description should be

Gastric Band Hypnotherapy to lose weight guaranteed. Free Gastric Band Hypnosis Consultations with Well Known Gastric Hypno Band expert as seen on TV. Hypno Gastric Band Works. We offer full support after your Gastric Band Hypnotherapy

but in google it is showing

Gastric Band Hypnotherapy Works. If you would like a slimmer and healthier body with all the benefits of weight loss surgery without any of the risks that can be ...

now one thing i have noticed is: in the sh404sef control panel, i have noticed that i have the following

index.php?option=com_content&Itemid=190&id=153&lang=en&view=article

the above is the original url from day one but then i have the one below which is not the original

index.php?option=com_content&Itemid=190&catid=150&id=153&lang=en&view=article

i keep deleting the above which is not the original but it keeps coming back and i have been told this could be the fault

can anyone please help me with this and solve how to stop it from coming back so google shows the correct description please.

[Richard555]

Hi Diane

Looking at page you mention I cannot see a meta description - its blank - therefore Google has no choice but to try and pick the most appropriate words from the page.

Bear in mind their is no guarantee Google will display the meta description - it will either pick the description or copy from the page - depending on which it thinks is most appropriate for your search.

On its own the meta description does not influence your position, however by being a powerful marketing message opportunity the better written ones may get more clicks... so being more popular may improve the position.

Sorry I dont know my way around Joomla so others are better to help you with the exact fix however hope the above may help in the direction you go.

[Richard555]

Hi Diane, just seen you are a 'journeyman' status so apologies if its likely to me my previous comment was simply telling you what you already know!

Best of luck in finding a fix,

RIchard

[PaulRonin]

Hey Diane,  Just following up on Richards post, but I'm guessing theres something bigger going on with your Joomla plugins because your description tag is blank.  I checked both of the "non pretty" url's and they are both directing to the same page with the same blank description.  So I would be looking for a missing checkbox somewhere in the setup for this particular page.

[ClaireH-184886]

hi, really do not understand, can you explain more please

[PaulRonin]

I'm not an expert with Joomla by any means, but based on your original post you seem confidant as to what the description tag should be, but then its not showing up in the actual code, so I feel like something with your Joomla setup isn't working.  Or possibly you have two plugins that are conflicting with one another?