Local Search ( Automotive Vertical ) One Targeted Landing Page Listed Twice In Navigation

[GaryT_SEO]

NOT talking about the same page being linked to twice

Talking about One (1) (landing) page Being Listed Twice In Navigation.

Looking for a definitive answer that there is NO negative SEO ( or negative anything ) to put the same page in your site's Navigation Bar ... twice  (or more than once)

Can't find anything written that there is anything to consider or be concerned with, but, thought I'd ask.

I'm a newERbie, but not a NEWbie...have 2.5 years experience in local, on-page SEO...but only know what I know

Maybe I should know this, but, I don't.

E.g.      Home       New Cars     Used Cars     Special Offers    Service    Finance    About Us

PickUps         PickUps

This is JUST an example, but, we have multiple occurences, let's say,  Trade-In-Value  ... in two places. One page, two locations in navigation.

I have SEEN it being done, 'all the time', but now, when I went to do it with a little bit of a different rationale, I was questioned about ' ... is this okay for SEO '

I THINK yes

But, I want to KNOW yes ... it is ok.

[MiriamEllis]

Hi Gary!

That's a great question. From a UX standpoint, repetitious links in a menu aren't something I'd recommend. But, from a pure SEO standpoint, from all we've seen, Google only "counts" the first link of multiple same-destination links on a given page. For more on this, see point 6 on this awesome Whiteboard Friday (I recommend watching the whole thing!): https://moz.com/blog/should-seos-care-about-internal-links-whiteboard-friday

The video doesn't specifically speak about menu links, likely because it's just not a great or common practice to double them up as in your example. So, while redundant menu links may not directly impact SEO, poor UX can definitely lead to higher bounce rates and shallower page sessions. This can result in decreased repeat traffic to pages. Which can then result in you earning fewer links. Which can then definitely decrease your ability to rank well. So, holistically speaking, poor UX decisions can lead to poor SEO outcomes, even if indirectly. Likely, your website would benefit from a careful overhaul of the menu structure to improve its clarity, reduce wasted screen real estate and enhance the quality of the user experience.

Hope this helps!

[GaryT_SEO]

I wanted / needed your response to 'prove' to someone that it does no harm.

In our case, it is not an issue of demoting the overall UX, but, your point is well taken.

It is giving the user / shopper a view of the link under the 'used car' navigation tab ... Hey you, USER, you can see just pickup trucks here!

And, then again, under the 'Specials' tab where he/she may be looking for used pickup truck that is a 'special' or, maybe looking for used cars that are 'on special' and WOULD consider a used pickup truck.

So, by simply showing him/her a quick and easy way to get to used pickup trucks for sale in two places, two views ... two spots under the main navigation bar, we see no harm.  If they were part of the first level of navigation it might create 'confusion', but, we think it being one level down ( you wouldn't see them like i showed them - I know this wasn't clear) where the User/Shopper would have to click on either INVENTORY or SPECIALS ( main navigation menu tabs) to even see that "used pickup trucks' was repeated, we don't feel that will cause confusion by being repetitive - but I know that wasn't clear.

THANKS so much for the answer and for confirming there really isn't any SEO 'foul' or no-no here.

Happy New Year

Best,

Gary Test

[MiriamEllis]

My pleasure, Gary. And Happy New Year to you, too!