Domain name enquiry

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  donovanmunro97613 · Member · Sep 20, 2021 at 10:18 am

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  Good day.

  I just want to find out something

  When I purchase a domain name but I started with a free account, will links associated with my free domain name be connected to my new domain name? Or will I have to literally go and change all the links I have shared to the new domain name?
  I need to know that when I get a domain name I bought, and someone clicks on my free account link, will they be directed to my new domain name or will it give them an error that the domain name doesn’t exist anymore?

  I shared links to my posts everywhere but afraid that when someone clicks my post link they will find an error. Thought maybe the link will direct the user to the new domain but to the same post automatically.

  Also want to ask……is purchasing a domain name only available on an upgraded plan from the free plan? I am guessing that is a yes.

  Please let me know.

  Thank you

  The blog I need help with is: (visible only to logged in users)

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  donovanmunro97613 · Member · Sep 20, 2021 at 10:22 am

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  I also want to find out…

  Since my free domain name is being indexed, and I purchase a domain name, will the link attached to the Google results direct users to my purchased domain name? Or will those Google results be scrapped and I will have to start again getting indexed?

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  staff-totoro · Staff · Sep 20, 2021 at 6:48 pm

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  Hi there,

  When I purchase a domain name but I started with a free account, will links associated with my free domain name be connected to my new domain name? Or will I have to literally go and change all the links I have shared to the new domain name?

  If you add a custom domain to your site, we will update all links and redirect the traffic from the “wordpress.com” address to your new custom site address. It’s totally seamless and happens automatically when you add a custom domain. :)

  I shared links to my posts everywhere but afraid that when someone clicks my post link they will find an error. Thought maybe the link will direct the user to the new domain but to the same post automatically

  Nothing to worry about there. If you posted a link at your original wordpress.com address, and change the site to a custom URL, we’ll make sure the folks that click that older link are redirected to the right place at the new URL.

  Also want to ask……is purchasing a domain name only available on an upgraded plan from the free plan? I am guessing that is a yes.

  Correct, it’s not possible to connect a custom domain to a free site, so it requires an upgrade. If you are watching your funds you can add a domain with our Monthly personal plan, which at the time I write this is $7 USD per month. More info here: https://wordpress.com/pricing/

  will the link attached to the Google results direct users to my purchased domain name? Or will those Google results be scrapped and I will have to start again getting indexed?

  Both. Initially Google will not know about your domain change, so anyone that clicks on a listing in Google that shows the old “wordpress.com” site address will be redirected to the new one.

  Usually within a few months Google will catch on to this address change and redirection, and start indexing your site at the new URL. We’re not in direct control of that process, but eventually they will show results with your new site URL.

  Hope that helps. Please let us know if you have any more questions.