Google picked 6 duplicated meta tags

[jj30]

Hi

Google has picked up 6 duplicate meta tags on my site, it is all the pages that are created the page editor.


I have been told all pages created through the admin is stored in the database and use the template file content.tpl. However my content page in my template folder is empty, do I have to edit it through the database ?
Could do with a little help here, I think each page needs it own tags ?.


I think I should have an individual meta tag for my pages, is this correct.

I know this is in my template folder layout.tpl.

The code below, is this a kind of default code that links to the admin main settings description, keyword and meta tags ?

<title>{$sitetitle}</title>
<meta name="Keywords" content="{$sitekeywords}" />
<meta name="Description" content="{$sitedescription}" />

I noticed some sites using C68 have changed this, it is best changing it and is there any tips on what to do.

Many Thanks

[seymourjames]

It is best from a search engine perspective. In order to have unique title and metatags per page requires a lot of work (logical tests). You need to test each page in layout.tpl and then assign new ones. Then it is also best that when you call these pages with a href, you use the title tag with the new title. It took me about a week to get all that in place and working smoothly. This is offered as part of the on-page SEO services that we offer.

[jj30]

Thanks

The contents page file, do I have to creat a file/page for every page that I have added through the Admin Page editor ?

Then adding all the SEO info and then link it back to the specific page created through th admin page editor.

So why is the content file empty except a few lines ?

If there are any links/posts or could explain briefly this area, it would be most appreciated.

Thanks

[juven14]

It depends, I believe pages are added to the navigation in the default template. However, they do not get mod_rewrite. The template only has a few lines because the content you create for the page is added into the template when the page is called. You should probably manage your own links in the layout.tpl template. This way you can assign the title and link text that is optimial for your page. Then you will have to add to your .htaccess a line for each page you want to link:

layout.tpl:
<a href="my-cool-page" title="coolest content around">Cool Page</a>
.htaccess:
RewriteRule ^my-cool-page\.html$ pages.php?page=4 [L]

[seymourjames]

And do not forget to test for the page in layout.tpl so you can assign the title and metatags you want.

For example, to assign for the login page this goes into the header of layout.tpl. My example

{if $SCRIPT_NAME == "/login.php"}
{assign var=newtitle value="Property France"}
{assign var=desc value="Advertise your property in France for sale on French Property Classifieds"}
<meta name="Keywords" content= "french,property,advert,advertise,property in france,estate agents" />
{else}
.
.
.

<title>{$newtitle}</title>
<meta name="Description" content="{$desc}" />

if you do it like this you can also easily use the newtitle and desc variables in your content as well.

[jj30]

Hi thank for the interest.

In general is this a better method of getting more specific and individual meta tags etc on your site ?.

I think I could do it with sometime, however any tips or what to start reading up on.

Could I butcher a copy of the layout page, thin it down in content and then save it, then link it back into the active layout page ?.


Will I get down graded with all these duplicated meta tags by google ?.

[seymourjames]

Yes -every page can get a unique title and set of meta tags. and yes, you can then use the title you assign when you make a link.

There is I believe some general agreement that search engines will give preference to sites where pages do have unique titles, descriptions etc.

Optimizing your site is no trivial matter. It will take a lot of time, trial and error. There is a lot involved

I do not understand your comments about the layout page. Why would you want to do that. You simply make tests for a "type" of page in your header and then assign what you want.

[jj30]

Thanks

I know Ive a long way to go.

Cheers

[juven14]

Yes, I've seen where people assign different layout pages, however you are better off managing only 1 for such a small change. seymourjames suggested the best method.

[jj30]

Hi

Without creating new pages for content at the moment, which pages can I change from the default code /text for title, keywords and description for better results ?.

Also I think I've may have got to many pages down my nav. bar, would it be better to hide them and have a few placed in my footer instead. Would this make a difference when google crawls my site ?. As I am on 9 duplicate tags nows from all these pages created from the admin page editor.

Thanks for you time