[opencms-dev] Howto have a tree structure but server flat urls

[Paul-Inge Flakstad]

Hi Assaf and everyone,

While there may not be any difference, in SEO terms, between
- one/index.html and 
- one.html 

There is a difference between 
- one/two/three/four/index.html and 
- one-two-three-four.html

The assumption is, of course, that files nearer the root are more 
important than those further away. (I call this the "root 
proximity" factor.)

The assumption is a BIG assumption, and in more cases than not, 
it's also a WRONG one... As algorithms are continually evolving 
and more processing can be done faster and cheaper, I think search 
engines won't need to put as much weight on the root proximity 
factor when calculating a page's PR. Even today, I don't think 
it weighs in all _that_ much.

An ongoing trend I've noticed, is going for a flat structure, in  
order to please Google and friends. If the trend continues, Google 
will _have_ to adjust their algorithms, ending up somewhere where 
it does not matter whether a page is on the root or buried in the 
folder tree. I think that in the long run, creating "root pages" 
will only lead to a terrible mess, and no (or just a slight) 
benefit SEO-wise.

Just my two cents - I'm definitively no SEO expert, and hence, I 
could be waaay off here. :)

Good luck, Assaf, whatever approach you choose. :) I would be very 
interested in hearing from you about results and experiences, should 
you opt to somehow create URLs on the root.

(I've considered creating a flat structure myself, since we have 
folder structures that sometimes place important pages quite deep. 
However, for now I decided not to take any action for SEO purposes. 
Basically, we're very pleased with our PR as it is - in many cases 
only Wikipedia beats us in the SERP.)

Cheers,
Paul

> -----Original Message-----
> From: opencms-dev-bounces at opencms.org 
> [mailto:opencms-dev-bounces at opencms.org] On Behalf Of Schliemann, Kai
> Sent: 20. april 2011 11:49
> To: The OpenCms mailing list
> Subject: Re: [opencms-dev] Howto have a tree structure but 
> server flat urls
> 
> Hi Assaf,
> well this is only partly true.
> A search engine sees no difference in
> -folder1/index.html
> -folder2/index.html
> and 
> -folder1.html
> -folder2.html
> 
> So if you choose your folder names nicely and you get rid of 
> folders you don't want in your URL like the famous 
> "opencms/opencms", there is absolutely no problem in using folders.
> 
> HTH
> 
> Regards
> Kai 
> 
> -----Ursprüngliche Nachricht-----
> Von: opencms-dev-bounces at opencms.org 
> [mailto:opencms-dev-bounces at opencms.org] Im Auftrag von Assaf
> Gesendet: Mittwoch, 20. April 2011 11:25
> An: opencms-dev at opencms.org
> Betreff: [opencms-dev] Howto have a tree structure but server 
> flat urls
> 
> Hi,
> 
> The only rational behand this requirement is that for SEO 
> sake, it is better to 
> have your content without the folder structure. And placing 
> thousands of 
> articles under the root is very complex to manage. Any ideas?
> 
> Assaf
> 
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