Removing PHP Session IDs from URL? - Please Help

PHP session id

[ryanwassi]

Hi -

Please can you help!?

I am getting session IDs on my URLs.
I've searched around and found a number of fixes.

The .htacess code is what I wished to implement, to solve the problem.

php_value session.use_trans_sid 0
php_value session.use_only_cookies 1

However after posting in <another forum>, I received a reply saying this will block Googlebot!?

Extremely worried, I removed the code from .htaccess, luckily only had in place for a few hours.

On all the forums I have researched this, I have heard NOTHING about blocking bots, using this fix.

So is this founded? Or is it a load of crock?

I desperately need a fix to remove the?PHPSESSID from my URLS.

Have a few duplicate listings in Google, it can only get worse from here.

Please please help!

Thanks!

[edited by: tedster at 10:09 pm (utc) on Aug. 6, 2006]

[abates]

I've been using session.use_trans_sid on a site for at least a year now with no impact in Google other than the removal of the session IDs.

The only way I can see Googlebot having trouble with this is if you require a session ID in order to view the site. If you can disable cookies in your browser and browse the site without problems, I can't see Googlebot having any trouble with it...

[netchicken1]

Just throwing an aside in ....

Isn't there a discussion that mentioned altering the url may gve you a duplicate content issue with Google?

[gabidi]

You can configure PHP to hide sessions ID's by default, i think it tracks the session by IP then.

Another way of hiding your session id is to embed it as a hidden field in a form in your page.

[abates]

There will be a duplicate content issue, but once Google realises that the version with the PHP session ID no longer has any inlinks, that version will be devalued and the version without the session ID will become the preferred page.

However keeping the session IDs on will cause a lot more duplicate content, since every time Googlebot visits your home page, it'll get given a bunch of links with new session IDs.

[ryanwassi]

Thank you for your replies!

I have been frantically posting in other forums, and in the end i've been flogging a dead horse.

Great to receive some help! - Thank you kindly!

ABATES -

You say you have been using this fix? With no problems?
Is it the addition of this code to .htaccess which you are using?

php_value session.use_trans_sid 0
php_value session.use_only_cookies 1

Or have you set this in another location?

Also I am guessing the reply I recevied in another forum, warning this may block Googlebot - is unfounded, as long as pages can be viewed WITHOUT cookies? Is this a correct assumption?

Thanks again!
Hoping to crack this nut - TODAY!
Hopefully, with your help, can get it done :)

[abates]

I added the use_trans_sid line to .htaccess. I haven't been using the other use_only_cookies line, and I'm not sure what it adds... You may find you don't need it.

And your assumption is correct. :)

[ryanwassi]

Grand! :)

Thanks for your help Abates!