Can I redirect a link even if the link is still on the site

[Rock33]

Hi Folks,

I've got a client who has a duplicate content because they actually create duplicate content and store the same piece of content in 2 different places.

When they generate this duplicate content, it creates a 2nd link on the site going to the duplicate content. Now they want the 2nd link to always redirect to the first link, but for architecture reasons, they can't remove the 2nd link from the site navigation.

We can't use rel-canonical because they don't want visitors going to that 2nd page.

Here is my question: Are there any adverse SEO implications to maintaining a link on a site that always redirects to a different page?

I've already gone down the road of "don't deliberately create duplicate content" with the client. They've heard me, but won't change.

So, what are your thoughts?

Thanks!

[Ria_]

Redirecting the 2nd link would probably be the best option, in my opinion. If the 2nd link has an integral part of the site structure and navigation, but you don't want users (or Google) to access that duplicate page, I don't see how you could do it any other way if your client insists that the 2nd page has to be created.

[anthonydnelson]

Yes, you absolutely can redirect this link. However I think your time would be better spent focusing on a solution that prevents this from happening long term. You will continually have to redirect new content as long as this continues to work as is.

[Ria_]

Although, depending on Craig's site structure, it could be a simple, one-time set up of the htaccess so all Link 2's 301 to the Link 1's.

For example, if when creating website.com/category1/product1, it also creates a duplicate page on /category2/product1, he could use regex so that all products under /category2/ redirect to the /category1/ product URL.

You're right that it's still not the most elegant of solutions, but it's a simple enough way to make sure users are where you want them to be without requiring any effort every time you create a new page - and it shouldn't upset Googlebot.

[Rock33]

I agree - but as with many things, there's politics involved. . . . . I'll leave it at that.

[RosemarieReed]

Are you using a CMS, or some inhouse solution? If it is a CMS, in many cases you should be able to update that CMS so that the 2 links are generated but the page itself isn't generated twice.

Another option if 2 pages must exist, would be to set a canonical on both pages to the 1 main location for the content, while using a pushstate on the url to manipulate the browser into the main pathing. Although the more I think about that one, it may not be a 100% viable option.