Google webmaster a lot off no sef url's.....

[Rondeb]

Hello,

In Google webmasters I see a lot of no SEF URLs, is that normal? These URLs are not indexed by Google.
Since 20 March 2023 I see these no SEF URLs, the years before this notification was never there.

I always thought when you have SEF enabled that then these URLs were not visible and approachable, or am I wrong now?

This page is accessible with and without SEF, and you will not be redirected.
Without SEF URL --> https://[no tiny url]/3K5v6U6
With SEF URL -- >https://[no tiny url]/3Zh1hnS

Only now the question is do these no SEF URLs give problems in future? Or should I leave it Like this?

Or should I do something with canonical URLs version? If so what exactly because we are talking about 250 pages.

I await your response, thank you in advance.

Greetings Ron

[Webdongle]

I use https://extensions.joomla.org/extension/osmap/ and submit the sitemap to google. Searching site:(my website name) no non sef url's in the search results. But mine is J3 so perhaps J4 is different.

[Rondeb]

Thank you for your response Webdongle

I have been using OSmap since J3 and so now in J4.

When I search by site: I get this -->https://ap.lc/fvLd9, and it looks good

The question still remains, are non SEF URLs reachable or not when you have SEF turned on?

[Webdongle]

imho they are reachable but google only searches the url's that are in sitemap. But google will follow those urls's. So if those url's have a link to an Article (or Component) that doesn't have a menu item then a non sef url is reached.

[Rondeb]

So no SEF URLs are reachable with all Joomla sites even if you have SEF turned on? But so they are not indexed by Google, I understand.

Google gives as solution the canonical version of the URL.

But how do I convert no SEF URL with canonical version to SEF URL?

Or should I just leave all this as it is?

Regards Ron

[Webdongle]

tbh I don't bother with google or other search ratings these days. All snake oil unless you have masses of money to throw at it.

[braveman1122]

Rondeb, it's a normal thing. Google takes time to index URLs. You should see it after a few days.

[braveman1122]

tbh I don't bother with google or other search ratings these days. All snake oil unless you have masses of money to throw at it.

But you can use some well know best practices to rank on Google. It doesn't take much if you do it yourself.

[braveman1122]

Ron, yes if you don't redirect them or don't use a canonical tag, it will create a problem in rankings. It means you have duplicate content.

So if you are serious about SEO, it's essential to use a canonical tag or redirect your page SEF URLs.

[Webdongle]

...
But you can use some well know best practices to rank on Google. It doesn't take much if you do it yourself.

And you think that will be competition for hundreds (even thousands) of similar sites?

[braveman1122]

...
But you can use some well know best practices to rank on Google. It doesn't take much if you do it yourself.

And you think that will be competition for hundreds (even thousands) of similar sites?

Not really; not thousands of sites work on a keyword. The number google gives on the webpages is not valid. Have you scrolled down and checked the other pages, like 3rd, 4th, or 5th?

Did you ever notice that those pages have nothing to do with the primary query?

Yes, that's true.

Secondly, if you focus ONLY on low competition keywords, SEOs call then untapped opportunities, and you are merely to win the race without doing much.

You only need to master on-page SEO.

[Webdongle]

... Have you scrolled down and checked the other pages, like 3rd, 4th, or 5th?

Did you ever notice that those pages have nothing to do with the primary query?

...

Thank you for proving my point. It's smoke 'n' mirrors and snake oil

[Rondeb]

Ron, yes if you don't redirect them or don't use a canonical tag, it will create a problem in rankings. It means you have duplicate content.

So if you are serious about SEO, it's essential to use a canonical tag or redirect your page SEF URLs.

Google itself already creates canonical tag to SE URL, so then I don't have to do it, right? Via Google, I cannot find a correct answer whether I need the canonical tag or not.

[Webdongle]

https://developers.google.com/search/bl ... traffic-on may be interesting to you