Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : SEO / SEM Discussions : Google is changing my links?

[skullbox]

Let me start by saying I haven't updated my site much in the last few years. However, there are still some pages that are number 1 search results and have been for years. Recently, Google has kept my rank the same among keyword searches, but instead of linking the actual page, it links to my index page?

An example currently is this:

http://www.google.com/#sclient=psy&h...48f386b3c06fd8

A search for "Cisco IOS cheat sheet" still show my site as the first search result, but link is now www.example.com instead of www.xample.com/ioscheat.php

I can't figure out why or how this is happening. The only way to fix it, is to change my index page (which is actually a stupid splash page) to have the links to the pages and then it seems to fix itself. This has happened to a handful of pages on my site and it usually takes 3-5 to get back to normal?

Does anyone have any insight on this? It's probably happened 3 times in the last 5 months.

[newbie2011]

You should review your submitted xml sitemap.

[cwcs_hosting]

Maybe over time, any links to sub pages have dropped off, lowering the PR and authority of your sub pages - which will make Google change its rankings and just display your homepage instead of those sub pages??

Like Newbie2011 says, redo and resubmit your sitemap to tell Google about your sub pages or any new pages you have added

[skullbox]

I submitted a sitemap and fixed this problem temporarly. The pages were linked to the correct pages for about a week now I am back to the same problem. Any other ideas?

[cwcs_hosting]

Have you tried searching for "site:yoursite.com" in google? This might tell you if it is de-indexing any of your pages?

Try link building using the anchor text you want to be found for, for example Cisco IOS cheat sheet as the anchor text, pointing to the ioscheat.php page, this will strengthen the relationship between keyword and the page.

I can't think of anything else to suggest...

[ChronoTrigger]

Google likes updated content. My suggestion is to add more original content to the pages you want to rank, and then build some links for them pages. Deep links to deep links work very well (for example forum links to inner pages of your site)

[skullbox]

Thanks for the input everyone. I will give your suggestions a try.

[flowerwedding]

Originally Posted by mslherry

Whatever it is keep downloading viruses and 'XP internet security 2010' malware to my computer. Whenever I get rid of all the viruses using Malwarebytes Antimalware in safe mode, the link changing and popups don't stop but all other viruses are removed,

For removing a malware use different antivirus software use. first you format your window and remove your files.

[arthur_drag]

there many things matters, submitted maps, google maps,, etc.. and review all your website design..

[edwardodfrazier]

you should check you xml setting

[nancywalker]

Validate your site map and submit it, wait for re-indexing.

[antra]

Check your keywords and site map and keep your eye on Google visiting.

[Patricianlamb]

Your xml setting is wrong ,check it.

[olamu]

Maybe you have redirected your links to the home page of your website. Check it please. Google shows links as they are and i think the problem is with your links, redirections or something else. And i think the problem is not relating to sitemap because Google crawls both sitemap and site. So according to the structure of your links on your site, its not relating to XML sitemap in my opinion.