Multiple urls with same title tags

[edinos]

My google merchant center says I have multiple urls with the same title tag. Does anybody know how to correct this problem? I currently use a seo manager that our webhosting company develeoped to write title tags. We have some products that are in multiple categories. http://Www.Storeforknowledge.com is our site. Thank you!

[jmestep]

I think one of your problems might be that you are using a category display page that puts the categoryid in the product's url. That would create two different urls for the product, but the title tags would be the same. Some Able category pages show the category in the url by default, some don't.
http://storeforknowledge.com/Kids-Garde ... 0C278.aspx
and
http://storeforknowledge.com/Kids-Garde ... P3250.aspx
Your search page uses the url without the category.
Your sitemap.xml uses the url with the category

So Google might be seeing it as two different products based on the url.
Also, if you are uploading a Googlebase feed created by Able's code, the title in the feed would not be the custom title.

[edinos]

Google is not liking the issue at all. Is this common with all Ablecommerce stores or just us because we are lucky like that? Thanks!

[edinos]

Not really sure what you mean by "Also, if you are uploading a Googlebase feed created by Able's code, the title in the feed would not be the custom title.". Web2market generates our googlebase feed and sitemap. They said that the feed that Ablecommerce provides does not work or has some issues.

[edinos]

What type of display page do most able users use or which one is Seo friendly?

[edinos]

We would love to have a quote from anyone that can fix this issue! Thanks!

[jmestep]

The category in the url is common for all Able stores if the categories are using a particular category display page.

[edinos]

All we know is that google hates our store and is penalizing us . Our google merchant account states this is an error that needs to be fixed asap. Somebody has made a big mistake and we are just trying to get to the bottom of it.

[plugables]

The issue has been discussed a number of times in the forums.
viewtopic.php?f=42&t=13753
viewtopic.php?f=42&t=7034
viewtopic.php?f=42&t=12864

I think it is now understood that this problem was tackled in latest versions of AC7. Mainly two changes were made in newer versions of AC
1. Use of canonical URLs
2. The removal of category Id from product URLs from almost all places in the retail side

It should be known by now that once canonical URLs are in use, even if you have multiple URLs pointing to the same resource, you will not get penalized for duplicate content. That is because the canonical URL of all the duplicate pages will always be the same and search engine will only take that URL in consideration.

When canonical URLs are in use, the removal of category id from product URLs is not entirely necessary but it is a good practice. One should try to use the same URL throughout the site and in the external back-links. Complete removal of duplicate URLs is not even possible. Imagine you have a popular product which has been linked by many external sites and blogs. They are using the standard URL that they get on your site. Suppose you decide to change the title of the product. Your product URL will get changed. On your site and your site map for search engines your URL is updated but the sites and blogs linking to your product will not have the URL updated. So will you be penalized? No if you are using canonical URLs. Yes if you are not using canonical URLs.

So if you are getting duplicate url issues and warnings then there could be two reasons.
1. You are running an old version of AbleCommerce ... < 7.0.4
2. You upgraded from an old version of AbleCommerce. You failed to incorporate the new changes in your custom controls.

[jmestep]

He is using categorygrid4 that puts the categoryid in the product url. His custom conlibs were carried over fine with the upgrade- customized the same way. He was using an old version of the W2MSeoManager that came out before Able came out with canonical link code and before canonical links were not very widely known. That has been fixed now.

[edinos]

When did Ablecommerce come out with canonical link code? I think our first upgrade was in April to 7.04 then 7.05 in November. Should be interesting to watch. We were pretty much taken off alot of our major keyword positions that we held for years. Not sure how long it will take to get them back but we are praying everyday we get some of them back. Good times. Below is the first page of what google is saying has duplicate title tags as of 7/9/11. This number has gone down some. Not sure if it will keep improving or if there is still so e work that needs to be done.

HTML suggestions
Duplicate title tags
Your title provides users and search engines with useful information about your site. Text contained in title tags can appear in search results pages, and relevant, descriptive text is more likely to be clicked on. We recommend reviewing the list and updating the title tags wherever possible.
« Back to all issues
Pages with duplicate title tags Pages
Pinto Rocking Horse w/White Mane &Tail @ store for knowledge 2
View Product Color Your Own Fab Flower Backpack @ store for knowledge
/Color-Your-Own-Fab-Flower-Backpack-P11851C323.aspx
/Color-Your-Own-Fab-Flower-Backpack-P11851C349.aspx
2
View Product Royal Ring @ store for knowledge 3
Watch-A-Bug by Insect Lore, kids watch a bug, bug viewier, insect viewer, childrens bug catcher @ st 3
American Presidents Floor Puzzle (100 pieces) @ store for knowledge 2
Introductory Rock Collection | Rock Collection | Rocks @ store for knowledge 2
Pull-Back Space Shuttle (die-cast) Toy, space shuttle toy. metal space shuttle toy for kids @ store 2
Wild Safari Sealife Polar Bear Cub Replica Toy @ store for knowledge 2
View Product Authentic BLACKTIP Shark Jaws Large 12 to 14" @ store for knowledge 2
Geodes, geode , Large Break-Your-Own Geode, geode, geodes, whole geode @ store for knowledge 3
View Product Melissa and Doug Wooden Deluxe Kitchen Play Center @ store for knowledge 2
Rocky Bingo @ store for knowledge 2
Safari Gray Whale Toy Model | Sea life toys | kids Gray Whale toys | Kids ocean Toys | Kids Water To 2
Incredible Creatures Safari Honeybee Model Toy @ store for knowledge 4
Insect bug models | Bug holder | Bug viewers | kids bug catchers | Insect viewer | Bug Jars @ store 2
Wood Slide Whistle @ store for knowledge 2
Wild Safari Horses Gift Set, Wildlife toys for kids, animal toys for kids, learn about animals @ sto 2
Transportation Frame | Picture Frame | Kids Frame @ store for knowledge 2
28" Blue T-Rex Stuffed Dinosaur / Soft Plush Dinosaur Toy @ store for knowledge 2
Whales & Dolphins Poster, whales poster, kids sea life poster @ store for knowledge 2
View Product Monster Sand Truck @ store for knowledge 2
Reptiles - Snakes and Lizard Toys, frogs, amphibians, kids rubber toy models and replicas by safari, 3
View Product Gund Lenny the Lion (11.5) @ store for knowledge 2
Safari Amardillo Model Toy, Wildlife toys for kids, animal toys for kids, learn about animals @ stor 2
kids Math games and toys / Flash cards / Number games / counting toys /kids cash register / play mon 2
Dinosaur Travel Art Kit, kids art set, travel fun for kids, kid drawing kit @ store for knowledge 2
Links @ store for knowledge 2
Dinosaur Carnegie Collection Set by Safari / Complete Set @ store for knowledge 3
Sealife toys and models | shark toys | whale toys | dolphin toys | monteray bay | Safari | Schleich
/Ocean-Life--C161.aspx
/Sea-Life--C161.aspx
/Sealife--C161.aspx
3
Wild Safari Sealife Glow-in-the-Dark Jellyfish Model Toy @ store for knowledge 2
Ginormous Grow Cobra Toy, growing snake toy, kids magic growing snake cobra toy, just add water @ st 2
Scoot Along Plane - US Airmail @ store for knowledge 2
Stuffed Dinosaurs | Dinosaur Plush Toys | Dinosaur Stuffed Animals @ store for knowledge 3
Melissa and Doug 24 Piece Woodland Princess Jigsaw Puzzle @ store for knowledge 2
Wild Safari Collie Best in Show Toy Model @ store for knowledge 2
55 Classic Red Metal Pedal Car @ store for knowledge 2
Kid Galaxy RC Morphibian Explorer 49 mhz, remote controal car water and land, childrens remote contr 2
Tumbled Ocos, rocks and minerals, @ store for knowledge 2
Inflatable Dinosaur Toy Triceratops 43'' / Blow up Triceratops @ store for knowledge
/Inflatable-Dinosaur-Toy-Triceratops-43-P3143C174.aspx
/Inflatable-Dinosaur-Toy-Triceratops-43-P3143C187.aspx
/Inflatable-Dinosaur-Toy-Triceratops-P3143.aspx
/Inflatable-Dinosaur-Toy-Triceratops-P3143C156.aspx
4
Sand Timer - Three Minute Timer, sand timer, sand timers, plastic sand timers, 3 minute sand timer, 2
View Product Papo Hippopotamus Calf Toy Model @ store for knowledge 2
View Product Construction Bull Dozer Toy @ store for knowledge 2
Schleich Humpback Whale Toy Model, Sea life toys, kids whale toys, whale toy, whale model, kids sham 2
Inflatable Dinosaur Toy - Velociraptor - Large Blow Up Dinosaurs @ store for knowledge 2
Wild Safari Sealife Sea Turtle Model Toy Model @ store for knowledge 2
View Product Folkmanis Boa Constructor Hand Puppet @ store for knowledge 2
Carnegie Collection Giganotosaurus Toy Model, dinosaur toys for kids, dinosaur model, dinosaur repli 3
View Product Melissa and Doug Chunky Jumbo Numbers Puzzle @ store for knowledge 2
View Product Baby Shark Toy Model with Squeaker @ store for knowledge 2
Hatchin' Grow Dino, growing dinosaur toy, kids dinosaur toys, party favors @ store for knowledge 2
View Product Magna Buzz Hematite Magnets @ store for knowledge 2
Search @ store for knowledge 14
View Product Papo CORSAIR WITH MUSKET TOY MODEL @ store for knowledge 2
View Product Wild Safari Anteater with Baby @ store for knowledge 2
Backyard Safari Outfitters Essential Field Magnifying Glass @ store for knowledge 2
Clever Catch Ice Breaker Primary | Clever Catch | Ice Breaker Ball @ store for knowledge 2
Inflatable Dinosaur Toy Brachiosaurus / Inflatable Dinosaurs @ store for knowledge 2
View Product Alex- Sticker Factory Refill @ store for knowledge 2
Growing Pet Hatch Em Alien, Space toys, space party favors, kids space birthday supplies @ store for 2
Iguanodon Carnegie Collection Toy Model @ store for knowledge 2
View Product Klutz-Rainbow Hairstyles Book and Kit @ store for knowledge 2
Pyrite Mineral Rock | Fools gold | Rock and mineral collections | Buy online @ store for knowledge 2
Wild Safari Sealife Purple Starfish Model Toy @ store for knowledge 3
View Product Folkmanis Large Tarantula Hand Puppet @ store for knowledge 2
View Product Smart Snacks® Sorting Shapes Cupcakes™ @ store for knowledge 2
Kids Play Hand Cuffs, pretend hand cuffs, play hand cuffs, preten dplay handcufs, metal handcuffs, c 2
Dinosaur Dig Kits | Dino Digs | I Dig dinosaurs | Dinosaur dig | Dinosaur Excavation Kids @ store fo 2
View Product Sea Bath Buddies @ store for knowledge 2
View Product Fortune Telling Fish @ store for knowledge 2
View Product Timing It Right Board Game @ store for knowledge 2
View Product Kids Stainless Steel Cookware Set @ store for knowledge 3
View Product Thomas® The Train Large Water color Set @ store for knowledge 2
Foam Play Pirate Scimitar, play sword, foam sword, kids sword, toy pirate sword @ store for knowledg 2
View Product Wooly Mammoth Carnegie Collection Dinosaur Toy Model @ store for knowledge 2
View Product Wood Train Whistle @ store for knowledge 2
Dig-a-Dino Tyrannosaurus Rex | Dinosaur fossil dig kits for kids | Dinosaur dig kit | Dino dig @ sto 2
View Product Hidden Kingdom Orange-Barred Sulphur Butterfly Toy Model @ store for knowledge 2
Stocking Stuffers, Party favors, kids birthday supplies, birthday party favors, christmas stocking s 2
XL Inflatable Dinosaur Tyrannosaurus Rex Toy / Inflatable Dinosaurs @ store for knowledge 2
Hidden Kingdom Dragonfly Insect Toy Model, bug toys, insect toys, insect models. dragon fly toy, kid 3
View Product Manta Ray Monterey Bay Aquarium Model Toy @ store for knowledge 3
55 Classic Sidewalk Cruiser Metal Pedal Car-Flames @ store for knowledge 2
View Product ZOOB Toy Set 55 Pieces @ store for knowledge 2
View Product Tyrannosaurus Rex Dinosaur Skull Model - Dinosaur Replica @ store for knowledge 2
View Product Wild Safari Wildlife Panda Cub Replica Toy Model @ store for knowledge 3
View Product Kid Galaxy Pro Launcher-Blue Thunder @ store for knowledge 2
Products by 'Toysmith' @ store for knowledge 2
Kids electronic saxophone Toy @ store for knowledge 2
View Product John Deere Busy Driver @ store for knowledge 2
Twinkle Toof - Glow in the Dark | kids tooth fairy gift toy @ store for knowledge 2
Wild Safari Hammerhead Shark Model Toy @ store for knowledge 2
View Product The Swashbuckler Collection Ship's Helm and Cannonballs @ store for knowledge 2
View Product Numbers & Math Symbols Magnetic Teaching Tiles @ store for knowledge 2
View Product Foam Geo Solids @ store for knowledge 2
Collapsible Binoculars for kids, plastic binoculars, kids binoculars, childresn binoculars, starter 2
Kids Little Grocery Cart - small shopping cart, childrens shopping cart, pretend play shopping cart, 4
Soft dinosaurs | Kids soft foam dinosaurs | Dinosaur toys | Bullyland Soft Play | Tyrannosaurus @ st 2
Protoceratops Dinosaur Skull Model / Dinostoreus / Reproduction / Replica @ store for knowledge 2
Camarasaurus Carnegie Dinosaur Model, dinosaur toy, dinosaur toys, carnegie dinosaurs, safari toys @ 2
XL Giant Brachiosaurus Inflatable Dino / Inflatable Dinosaurs @ store for knowledge 2
1-100 of 279
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[edinos]

Checked my google account Today and it showed an increase in duplicate title tags and description tags. Frustrating.