We configurated our server to deliver the if-modified-since-header (IMS) correctly (statuscode 304), because GoogleGuy asked to do so (see [
webmasterworld.com...]
I started checking the request from Googlebot for this server two weeks ago, and found out some strange things I can't explain:
1. Googlebot sometimes visits the server without any requests for the IMS-date
2. Googlebot is checking pages with IMS-dates exactly 50 days back from the date of the actual request, even domains that were non existing that 50 days before (dns-entry 10 days old...)
3. Googlebot is checking pages with dates that seem to be random to me (no previous spidering on that date or whatsoever)
4. Googlebot loves the IMS-date "Sat, 03 May 2003 15:00:00"
Is there a pattern? Can anyone confirm my observations?
What this is good for, except from saving bandwidth (esp. checking new domains with IMS-dates)?
And the final question: what will happen to my rankings when sending a 304-http-header? Will they drop or rise?
Regards, ismap
