Potential to lose ranking w/ 301 redirects?

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Potential to lose ranking w/ 301 redirects?

Can removing a directory drastically alter SERPs?

shoffy

9:31 pm on Dec 2, 2008 (gmt 0)

I've read that folks have run into major problems dropping out of SEs when transitioning from an old domain to a new one, even if they implement a 301 redirect.

[webmasterworld.com...]

My question is, has anyone run into a problem in this scenario...

http://www.example.com/directory/product-name.htm

301'd to

http://www.example.com/product-name.htm

I ask because a client had their ecommerce site built a LONG time ago and every page of their site is inside this directory when they don't really have to be.

We'd like to shorten these URLs and put 301s in place to retain any ranking.

Seems relatively safe, but wanted to check with the community to see if they thought the same thing and discovered otherwise.

[edited by: coopster at 12:50 pm (utc) on Dec. 5, 2008]
[edit reason] used example.com for domain [/edit]

anallawalla

9:48 am on Dec 5, 2008 (gmt 0)

First, a lot of long URLs getting shortened won't necessarily improve rankings if they are mostly good. If they are mostly poor, then you haven't much to lose and a little to gain. A ranking boost will come from improved Title tags and the other good on-page and off-page stuff.

Google gives top ranks even if the URL is long. The 301 is fine, but don't assume that the ranking positions will stay the same.