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Handling Dupes - Same Same or Different?
Dec 5, 2024
Allan Scott, a seasoned software engineer at Google specializing in duplicate detection, joins the discussion. He sheds light on the complexities of duplicate content in search, including clustering and canonicalization. The conversation dives into the challenges of conflicting signals between HTTP and HTTPS, and the critical role of the rel canonical tag. Allan also addresses localization strategies and the importance of accurate hreflang implementations. Finally, he tackles common web crawling issues, emphasizing teamwork to enhance search engine performance.
32:30
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Quick takeaways
- Canonicalization helps determine the primary URL in a cluster of duplicates, ensuring proper SEO management and visibility.
- Localization adds complexity to duplicate content management, necessitating careful clustering to prevent misclassification in search results.
Deep dives
Understanding Canonicalization and Clustering
Canonicalization is a crucial process for deciding which URL among several duplicates should be considered the primary one. Clustering precedes canonicalization, involving the grouping of similar pages based on their content. This distinction is essential because misunderstandings can occur when webmasters incorrectly classify pages, leading to issues like duplicate content being clustered together. For instance, if two pages don't belong in the same cluster, it can create significant SEO challenges, such as when a page with canonical tags is hijacked or misidentified.
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