Linking to Directories

What is the best way to link to directories so spiders take it

[franklin dematto]

There are three valid ways to link a directory:

1) [site.com...]
2) [site.com...]
3) [site.com...]

Now, technically, 3 is illegal -- most servers will issue a redirect back to 1.

However, I think 3) is much more aesthetically pleasing, and as far as I'm concerned, users are more likely to click on a clear URL in a SE -- so I'd prefer 3, if at all possible.

So, can I make my internal links in form 3, and rely on the server redirects, without confusing/upsetting spiders & SE's

[msgraph]

Not sure if it confuses some search engines because I never really tried it. I wouldn't be surprised if they have measures in place to handle this type of situation.

That being said, stick to step 1 or 2. Why take the risk? Also, it is only going to inflate your log files even more.

>>>much more aesthetically pleasing, and as far as I'm concerned, users are more likely to click on a clear URL in a SE

I don't think that part is a big concern to the users. Its only a forward slash :)

[Mark_A]

More to the point, the structure of a hyperlink is that what you display to users and the actual code of the hyperlink do not need to be the same.

Thus you can list what you like as the link text and use the right underlying link to reduce server extra work.

[ukgimp]

Link to the directory, that way if you change technology (html to php or ASP) then there should not be any problems with wrong requests. More relavent to submissions but worth considering.