Persistent listings or 301 redirects better for SEO?

[sichristie]

Imagine these 2 scenarios for an ecommerce listing.

1. A listing that only closes once stock runs out

2. A listing that relists every 7 days assuming stock has run out and doing a 301 redirect to the latest version of that listing (imagine it relists several times)

You might ask why on earth we would have the 2nd scenario, but we are an auction site where some listings can't be bid on. In other words those Buy Now only listings are also part of the auction model - they close after 7 days.

For me it is a no-brainer that scenario 1 is better for SEO, and I have my ideas on why this is better for SEO than the second scenario such as age, SERP CTR, link equity not being diluted by 301 redirects not changing every 7 days when the listing relists multiple times etc.

I was wondering if someone could articulate better than I possibly could why scenario 1 is better for SEO, and why scenario 1 would rank better in the SERPS....would it?

Many thanks!

Cheers,

Simon

[DonnaDuncan]

Hi sichristie,

I find your question confusing, probably because it's a complex scenario you're trying to describe. If I understand it correctly, I agree scenario 1 would be better for SEO because it's all about reputation. If you're looking for an explanation that might resonate with lay people, I'd try an analogy that builds upon the rationale you've described above. Here's an example of what I mean.

Say to your audience, "Assume you are lost and thirsty in a desert when you come upon a set of three paths pointing in different directions. All three have a sign posted with an arrow saying "this way to fresh water". One of the paths looks like it's been there a long time. It's deep and well worn. Up ahead you can see others have taken this path because there are small items like candy wrappers and cigarette butts shed along-side the path. The other two paths are faint and debris free. You're barely able to make them out in the sand. It looks like their signs have been planted there recently, maybe even moved a few times."

Which path would you take?