I have noticed that google has started indexing my date archives. I am using All in One SEO and have changed the Settings to stop them showing in the search results. Has anyone else seen the same?
Since you have changed the settings, it is not likely to continue. You should take a look at your sitemaps and see what you are asking to be indexed to ensure that you don't invite duplicate crawling and indexing.
Isn't All in One SEO is a WordPess plugin?
aluvix
1:31 pm on Oct 26, 2021 (gmt 0)
All in One is a plugin. I am afraid I have ignored the need to set up a site map. Relying on the basics whilst I potter about on the net. But it is getting more complicated. First noticed it when they introduced the SSL certificates. Tried to ignore that. But I noticed that Google stopped indexing child pages and life has gone downhill from there.
not2easy
2:33 pm on Oct 26, 2021 (gmt 0)
You should be able to get a free "SSL" (more TLS today) from your host if they offer CP interface. The plugin should offer settings for your sitemap, if you need a separate plugin for that, it is time to shop for alternative SEO plugins. You should have your sitemap URLs listed in your robots.txt file, but that is unrelated to the sitemaps and is a voluntary (optional) file.
aluvix
2:56 pm on Oct 26, 2021 (gmt 0)
Cheers. Sorted the issues with SSL certificates. But something is still not right. Indexing is slow and I suspect has to do with an upgrade by All in One. Think they do offer a site map tool with their premium pack but my sites are just a hobby and I am currently looking at Yoast and will try Rank Math next.
When you say (more TLS today), can you explain?
lucy24
4:44 pm on Oct 26, 2021 (gmt 0)
I am afraid I have ignored the need to set up a site map.
Reminder: A site map does not mean “crawl and/or index only these pages”. It means “be sure not to overlook these pages”. So a sitemap will never stop a search engine from crawling or indexing pages it already knows about. And, conversely, if a site genuinely “needs” a sitemap, it may be time to take a good look at its navigation.
aluvix
7:34 pm on Oct 26, 2021 (gmt 0)
I know I should make the effort to stay current . But I take comfort in what has always worked and get grumpy and irritable when it doesn't.
I understad that Google 'bought into' the need for SSL certificates. Is this correct? Would this have explained why I started having problems getting child pages indexed? Then there is the question why I am seeing my Date Archives appear in the search results? Has there been anything in the Google updates that would explain this? Or is it being triggered by changes in the way All in One is structured?
My sites are not being crawled as often as they were and it is taking ages for new Posts to get picked up. I attribute this to duplicate content. But it could be anything.
not2easy
8:35 pm on Oct 26, 2021 (gmt 0)
If your site is not both https: and mobile friendly then Google isn't likely to favor indexing your content. Last summer's rollout of the Core Web Vitals update made it clear that they will not be indexing everything they find online.
As for the unwanted indexing of archive pages - if you have no sitemap and no robots.txt file to tell Google's bots your preferences, they can and will crawl all of it and index what they like. To have your site seen as you prefer, you will need to be proactive in setting things up the way you want it to be seen. Tell them what to do and they will try to do that for the most part.
Do you not have a GSC account? It is not a requirement but a Google Search Console account certainly gives you insight into how they see your content. That would be the place to find out what Google thinks about your site.
aluvix
6:18 am on Oct 27, 2021 (gmt 0)
I have been pottering about on the net for years. Jotting down random ideas, Sometimes just a blank page which I return to later. Using the tools that are available and revelling in the simplicity of it all. However everything changes. It's getting a little more complicated and I am trying to put my finger on what it is.
Thanks for the input.
not2easy
1:01 pm on Oct 27, 2021 (gmt 0)
There are some threads around here that might be helpful for you as far as learning how things fit together and why you should (or should not) develop certain habits or work routines. I started out the same as you did a good while back and do understand that it can be difficult to find good information to learn what you need. It is hard to know what you need to know when it wasn't part of your plans.
Google's own advice on best practices has a link here: [webmasterworld.com...] along with other ideas.
Learning all about WP from the source is free and self paced: [learn.wordpress.org...] Once you know how WP works, you can plan ahead for how you want it to work for you.
Speaking of WP - we have a forum full of WP Q & A that can help: [webmasterworld.com...]
