2 Versions of Same Homepage

[theLotter]

We want to show new and returning visitors different versions of our homepage (same URL)

What, if anything, should we use as the markup to tell Google what we are doing?
Any danger that Google will think we are cloaking?

Thanks!

[Antony_Towle]

Sounds like use for Rel="Alternate",

https://support.google.com/webmasters/answer/189077?hl=en

The bullets that seem to apply recommended by google here are,

• You keep the main content in a single language and translate only the template, such as the navigation and footer. Pages that feature user-generated content like a forums typically do this.

• Your content has small regional variations with** similar content in a single language**. For example, you might have English-language content targeted to the US, GB, and Ireland.

Sounds like the case for me,

Hope this helps,

James

[theLotter]

Thanks.... We have a translated site where we follow these guidelines.

However, this is more about increasing conversions and showing one banner to new visitors and another banner on the same URL to returning visits, with some additional small variations on the page as well....

[DeanAndrews]

Hi, Assuming you are setting a cookie to detect the visitors previous visits then this should be fine. Google will only see the new visitor variation as robots do not accept cookies.

If you are not setting a cookie let us know how you are detecting the visitors previous visits so others may help you further.

[theLotter]

yes, that is the super simple explanation my mind was blanking on.

thanks!