What's the difference between changing blog address and changing primary domain
-
Hi,
I asked on the recent thread, about moving followers to a new blog address, what the difference between changing blog address and changing primary domain was and which was best to retain followers and reduce impact on SEO. I didn’t fully understand the answer, but the thread was closed will I was typing my request for clarification.
I was told changing primary domain overlays a new address over a free wordpress.com address. I however have a paid for address already and want to replace it with another .com (also bought through wordpress) Does ‘overlay’ mean the original address is still operating in some way or does it mean it replaces it and all content and followers are kept just under the new address with the old address simply redirecting. I want to be clear because I’m concerned about letting my original (paid for address) expire if it retains some roll.
The blog I need help with is: (visible only to logged in users)
-
You are referring to https://en.forums.wordpress.com/topic/moving-followers-from-old-website-to-new-one?replies=17#post-2462729 and as you did not understand what was stated there I tagged this thread for a Staff response. Please subscribe to it so you are notified when they respond. To subscribe look in the sidebar of this thread, find the subscribe to topics link and click it.
-
Hi @creativebex , the old address will also be active so long as its upgrade is active. Anyone who tries to visit the old address would be forwarded to the Primary Domain.
In fact, if a search engine tries to visit the old address, they’ll also get a signal that the move to the new domain is permanent, giving them a chance to update their links.
If you’ve already chosen an available domain name, add it as soon as possible. That ensures you’ll get the domain before someone else buys it while allowing the old address to continue working in the meantime.
-
Thanks @timethief and @supernova. If I’m reading this right this means that if keep the old upgrade address for a several months, after changing the primary domain, the search engines will not be affected when I drop it? However, how does this affect followers? I think I’ve read people on wordpress reader will be automatically resubscribed – Can you confirm please? I assume email followers too? But presumably other feeds will be lost?
-
if keep the old upgrade address for a several months, after changing the primary domain, the search engines will not be affected when I drop it?
As @supernovia mentioned, search engines will know that the move is permanent, so they will replace references to your old address with the new one. SEO and rankings are also gradually transferred, but this process can take some time and it’s a good idea to keep the upgrade for some time. Telling Google about your preferred domain can help.
However, how does this affect followers? I think I’ve read people on wordpress reader will be automatically resubscribed – Can you confirm please? I assume email followers too?
Changing domain will not affect your followers or subscribers. They’ll continue to receive updates/emails. It’s always a good idea to make a post telling them about the change, though!
But presumably other feeds will be lost?
From what I know, as long as your other domain is active, RSS feeds will also continue to work as the domain will keep redirecting to your new primary address. However, once you let go of the upgrade (it’s expired), any direct links to it will cease to work, including RSS feeds.
- The topic ‘What's the difference between changing blog address and changing primary domain’ is closed to new replies.
WordPress.com Forums 