301 from index.php to index.html

[keyplyr]

Using linux/apache on shared hosting.

Been seeing dozens of 404s in logs due to various requests for index.php (I use index.html.) I would think the server config would automatically correct these requests, but I guess not. I do use a nice, friendly 404 error page with site navigation, but many* still leave the site after not getting what they expected.

I'm currently testing: Redirect 301 /index.php http://www.example.com/

Working well, no more 404s. The question is... anything I'm not considering? For example: duplicate content?


*While some requests are from bad agents & vulnerability checks, there are legit user requests requesting index.php.

[edited by: keyplyr at 8:00 am (utc) on Aug 29, 2013]

[phranque]

if you are using any mod_rewrite directives (RewriteRule) in your .htaccess or server config, you should also use mod_rewrite (instead of mod_alias) for this redirect.

for example, to do a proper canonical hostname redirect, you'll need to use mod_rewrite.


see relevant discussion in this recent Apache Web Server forum thread - Redirect with wildcard not working:
http://www.webmasterworld.com/apache/4604076.htm [webmasterworld.com]

[keyplyr]

Not internal. No mod_rewrite.

[phranque]

no canonical hostname redirect?

[keyplyr]

no.

Thanks. I got the admin to redirect at the server. Problem solved.

[lucy24]

would think the server config would automatically correct these requests

Nothing is automatic. If you're on shared hosting, some things may seem to happen magically. But it's only because the host has set it up that way to forestall common problems.

[keyplyr]

Ya don't say