Google is alternating what link it likes to rank on wordpress site and

[z8YX9F80]

Hi there,

I'm experiencing a problem where google is pick and choosing different links structures to rank my Wordpress site for my main keywords.  The site had pretty good #1 rankings for a long time but recently I noticed Google is choosing to rank the page in one of two ways.  Let me just say that the original way where it held good rankings looked like this for example: flowers.com/the-most-beautiful-wedding-bouquets/ this is just an example it' is not my site.

And when google decides to switch it up it uses this link structure:flowers.com > weddings (this still points to this link flowers.com/the-most-beautiful-wedding-bouquets when I hover my mouse over it) however this link structure that never appeared before and now does, usually has much lower rankings.  Please note it's not both link structures being ranked at the same time for the keywords.  It's one or the other that google is currently alternating in ranking and I believe it's hurting the sites position.
I'm not sure if this is a wordpress settings thats gone wrong or what the problem is but I do know when shows the expanded and descriptive link structure flowers.com/the-most-beautiful-wedding-bouquets  the rankings are higher and in 2nd place.  I'm hoping by rectifying this I can regain back my position.

I'm very grateful for any insight you could offer on why this is happening and how I could fix it.  Thank you.

PS Wordpress site has several SEO plugins

[BlueprintMarketing]

Hi

So you know wordpress adds the  forward "/" to urls that are categories for have been set up using regex /?$

Or you have it set up the right way

Source: ^/flowers.com/the-most-beautiful-wedding-bouquets/?$

1. Redirect A Page

To redirect one page to another page, just fill in the fields like so:
Name: Redirect my contact page Domain: www.flowers.com Source: ^/flowers.com/the-most-beautiful-wedding-bouquets/?$ Destination: /new-path/contact-us/ with or with out  "/" Redirect type: 301 Permanent

NOTE

• This Redirect Rule will match a URL of _http://www.domain.com/old-path/contact-us_ -or-_http://www.domain.com/old-path/contact-us/_

• The variation is because of the Regex Syntax “/?$”

• The Question Mark “?” makes the Trailing slash Optional

• It will also only match the Source if it Starts with a “/” (note the carrot “^” ), or ends with either “s” or “/” (note the ending “$” )

• See

• https://wpengine.com/support/regex/

• check your canonical's

• use Yoast SEO it will add canonical's for you then the you will not have the tracking added like I see on all pages ?cm_sp=flowers--globalnav--birthday-topcat-D10147

• | rel="canonical" href="http://www.flowers.com/birthdayflowers" /> |
  |   |

• Correct this code https://github.com/bunchoup/alert_site/blob/master/tmp/menu_FD4.xml

• Use Deepcrawl or Screaming Frog to find & fix

I hope this helps,

Tom

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[z8YX9F80]

Hi Tom, thank you for your reply, however please note as I stated the flowers.com reference was just an example, it's not my site.  I think that would probably change your advice?

[BlueprintMarketing]

try http://flowers.com/the-most-beautiful-wedding-bouquets

I thought you gave a real domain please use example.com so I will know.

without the domain I think it is wordpres adding the / can you PM me the domain?

Thanks,

Tom

[z8YX9F80]

Oh I see, sorry about the confusion, I made the URL up and I guess it happens to work at the same time.  I will PM  you now.

[z8YX9F80]

Hi Tom, I sent you a PM with the url and info, please let me know what you think.

[SEO-Expert-Danny]

Hey Z, it looks like SEO plugs ins are conflicting each other, creating several sitemaps for Google and Google doesn't know which links has higher authority, main one or redirect, it could be permalinks as well or cashing.

If url is the same, then most likely is too long and Google is trying to shorter it down with some type of their beta testing.They usually do run tests all the time.

I don't advice several SEO plugins, if not being used.

[Christy-Correll]

Hi there, thanks for your question! Were you able to sort this issue out? We'd love an update, thanks!

Christy

[BlueprintMarketing]

Hey Z,

i got your PM  just wanted to update you I will run an audit on that for you tonight. Sorry for the delay I've been out of town seeing my family was on a vacation. Please look for my response in the private message tonight around 8 PM Eastern in addition I will update the board here and tell you that there is a letter for you and your private mailbox.

All the best,

tom

[z8YX9F80]

Hi Danny,

Thanks for your reply.  I checked the SEO plugins Yoast and Seopressor both which are active and they are not set to have anything to do with sitemaps as far as I can tell.

Sitemaps

Google XML sitemaps plugin is handling the sitemaps.  I do have two sitemaps submitted for the site however, one in the form sitemap.xml and the other sitemap.xml.gz both of which are identical just in different format.  Could the two sitemaps be the cause of this problem?  The other competitors are not having this issue, only my site is being affected.

Whenever google shows my site with the shortened form the site shows with substantial loss in rankings, however when it's in the normal descriptive longer form (not that long at all and doesn't require breadcrumbs or anything like that) it ranks well, which is great but it doesn't last long.

Permalinks
The permalinks are set to the correct setting as such http://example.com/sample-post/
Caching

Can you elaborate on this and what I should look for?

URL Length

The length is not long and my competitors have the same length or longer without the problem I'm having.  This is an example length and it's no longer than this. http://example123.com/test-that-this-the-the-example/

Appreciate your insights and feedback. please let me know

[z8YX9F80]

Hi Tom,

I just noticed your reply here, somehow I didn't get the email update.  That would be great if you can find something.  I checked my PM box and it's empty as of now.

Thanks

[z8YX9F80]

Hi Christy, it's not resolved yet, I'm still seeking help.  My rankings are going lower because of this daily and I don't know what to do.