How to handle thread movement - redirects

[serphog]

What is best for Google? Should I leave a permanent redirect, expiring or no redirect?

I'm curious what people are using and why.

TIA

[Keith Cohen]

You would only need to use a vBulletin redirect for the sake of your users; to let them know that a thread has been moved.

If a search engine tries to hit the old URL it will automatically be 301 redirected to the new location.

[serphog]

How does vB handle the "temporary" redirect? A 301 followed by removal at the end of the timeframe you select? If you select 30 days, that will allow readers to find the new thread and keep your forums on point. Also important, I guess that would provide Google with more than enough time to find the new URL.

[Keith Cohen]

vBulletin doesn't do a 301 redirect. For stock vBulletin, the URL never changes because it just uses the ThreadID. It just leaves a placeholder in the old location that points to that same ThreadID.

Google will find the new URL if/when it tries to reindex that URL because it will be 301 redirected to the new location. Also, the new location will be included in the vBSEO Sitemap (which you should also be using).

For search engines, there's really no reason to leave a vBulletin redirect. It can be useful to users though, who may not otherwise know that a thread was moved when they go to look for it...

[serphog]

Yes, I'm using both vBSEO and vbSitemap. I think I'll start using 30 day redirects. Sufficient time for both my users and Google to see the new redirect. I have some major housekeeping to do and wanted to understand what happens before making the changes. Thanks for your help.