cabennett85/gittest — Issue #1102: BC Cause About page non-pretty URL does not 301, is getting indexed
Author: cabennett85
Created: 2012-03-02 00:35:24+00:00
State: open

While the canonical is set, there is absolutely no reason that we are supporting the ugly version of the URL:

http://www.broadcause.com/causes/broadcause-nonprofit-about.php?name=Cornell-Young-Alumni-Programs

When the correct version is this:

http://www.broadcause.com/Cornell-Young-Alumni-Programs/about

The problem is that Google has indexed the ugly AND pretty versions and marked them as duplicates (HTML errors section of Webmaster Tools).

Correct behavior:

In general, *UGLY URL ALWAYS 301 REDIRECTS TO PRETTY URL*, no exceptions. Canonical is only a suggestion and a backup, not a safety net or a primary solution. The above proves why.

Bonus round: WHERE ARE WE USING THE UGLY LINK to get to the about page? SOMEWHERE BECAUSE GOOGLE IS FINDING IT. :(