Forum Moderators: Robert Charlton & goodroi
I am talking about well moderated (no spam) well developed forums where the users have asked to keep that forum style. No, there are no spam messages, guaranteed (even if a spammer managed to post on these 2 forums in question, which is unlikely as only registered and approved posters can post without approval, any URL's are put into a redirect which is bot denied). Also the titles and descriptions are all unique, so it is not a duplicate content filter. My best guess is that wwwboard messages using simple html without the main navigation format of the main pages may have fallen prey to a tighter automated pages filter perhaps?
I have tried Google's webmaster area but it seems no-one from Google actually gets involved and all you find are people looking for SEO issues. Can not find any contact area for Google themselves.
FYI The main directory and information pages of both forums have retained their PR as was, but the messages are toasted. I am pretty sure Google have introduced a filter recently therefore that unfortunately catches wwwboards. I know wwwboards are the most basic and abused forums out there, and many people think "what old hat". But the thing is there are a few genuinely busy sites not filled with spam where the owners have devleoped security scripts rather than change the format because that is what the users say they want. I actually went to the trouble of setting up an Invision blog and forum and tried to get users to say "OK, yes, that's better, change!", but they do not like it! I think the reason is that wwwboards are much less intimidating and also actually better for shorter threads. Anyway, it looks like I will have no choice but to change soon now, which is a shame that web site owners have to do what is good for Google, not Internet users. The individual message format of the wwwboard when they did get indexed by Google basically provided a lot of material for more obscure search terms.
Any help in resolving the problem or saying "Yup, time to move on with new scripts" appreciated.
For example, vBulletin presents the same content at more than 10 different URLs [google.com].
Check the threads about that (about 6 months ago) and the other recent stuff about "duplicate content [google.com]", to get you started.
Funny you should say that; I'm expecting a Duplicate Content Certificate directly from Matt Cutts anytime now :-)
On how to create it?
Can i have a copy? :)
Thanks for telling me how most forums work. Most forums give you threads and messages, but that is not the point / my question thank you. I also know well your valuable postings about duplicate content. I thought I had addressed that issue in my post; if I have not, tell me what more info I need to provide, please don't refer me to one of your multiple threads on the subject. I have valued what you have posted yourself BTW, but you do tend to be a tad fixated.
My question was for people who know of and have seen the problem I outlined for wwwboards.
