Episode: 136 Avoid (SEO) Penalties for "Private" Pages
- Meredith's Husband
- Mar 5
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 10
Summary
This podcast episode explores the topic of hidden and private web pages, specifically for photographers and business owners who need to share exclusive content with clients. The discussion covers common SEO pitfalls, including how unlinked pages can trigger Google's spam detection and unintentionally become indexed. Solutions include using password protection, no-index directives, and alternative platforms for hosting private content. These strategies help website owners maintain privacy while ensuring their site’s SEO remains strong.
Optimizing Hidden Pages for SEO and Privacy
Creating private pages on a website can be beneficial for photographers and business owners who want to provide exclusive content to clients. However, handling these pages incorrectly can lead to SEO issues, making them visible in Google’s search results. This episode covers key strategies to ensure private pages remain hidden while maintaining website credibility with search engines.
Why Hidden Pages Can Be Problematic
Many website owners assume that simply not linking a page to their website will keep it hidden. However, search engines can still discover these pages through sitemaps, leading to unintended indexing. This can negatively affect SEO and user trust. Google considers pages without proper linking as potential “doorway pages,” which are seen as spam tactics.
Strategies for Keeping Pages Private
Meredith’s husband outlines several methods to keep hidden pages private while avoiding SEO issues:
Assess If the Page Must Be Private: Before making a page hidden, consider whether a public version could serve the same purpose. Having more indexed content generally helps with SEO.
Use External Platforms: Instead of hosting private content on a website, consider using platforms like Dubsado or PickTime. These tools allow clients to access exclusive content without affecting SEO rankings.
No-Index the Page: Adding a “no-index” directive tells Google not to include the page in search results. Most website builders, such as WordPress, Squarespace, and ShowIt, provide an option to hide pages from search engines.
Password Protection: The most effective method to keep a page private is by requiring a password. While this adds an extra step for users, it ensures that only intended visitors can access the content.
Removing Indexed Pages: If a private page is already indexed, website owners can request its removal through Google Search Console. However, this removal is temporary (six months), so a no-index directive should also be in place to prevent re-indexing.
Ensuring Long-Term Privacy
To maintain privacy and avoid SEO issues, website owners should periodically check whether hidden pages have been indexed. Google Search Console provides a tool for checking and managing indexed content. Implementing password protection and external hosting solutions can also provide a seamless user experience while keeping sensitive pages out of search engine results.