trailing slashes Issue

[vfetty]

Hi, Do trailing slashes in the URL make a difference?

[Receptional Andy]

Hi vfetty,

You're going to have clarify "make a difference". Typically, a trailing slash implies that the requested URL is a directory (with the implication that it may contain more than one resource).

However, I can't really address the question unless you clarify what you're most concerned about: SEO, usability, Apache or something else?

[vfetty]

Yes that is it exactly, they are directories. Sometimes when I run link validation tools I get a 500 on one of the links without a slash. So I am thinking does it confuse google to have them or not have them. Can I put something in my htaccess file to correct everything that is a directory to end in a slash? That was google does not have 2 different versions.

[g1smd]

If the URL is for a folder, then the correct condition is for the server to issue a 301 redirect to add a trailing slash to the URL.

To not do so, would promote a duplicate content problem.

[vfetty]

g1smd I want to say thank you for the info! I changed those links to have the trailing slashes and the 301 directs went away. Thanks to everyone else who replied but g1smd you rocked this one:) Hopefully you might help me with some of my other questions I have posted:)