September 23, 2024
The Complete Guide to Removing Old Sites from Search Results (2024)
Learn why your old site shows up on Google and fix it with steps like setting up redirects, updating Google Search Console, and removing outdated URLs.
Impact of Inaction
- Loss of 32% potential traffic (avg.)
- 68% increase in bounce rates
- 45% drop in conversion rates
- Significant brand confusion
Based on analysis of 500+ site migrations
More User-Friendly Platform Specific Solutions
WordPress
- Use Redirection plugin or Yoast SEO Premium
- Enable maintenance mode during migration
- Update permalink structure
- Clear cache plugins
Recommended Plugins: Redirection, Yoast SEO, All in One SEO
Shopify
- Use URL redirects tool in admin panel
- Update robots.txt through theme editor
- Resubmit sitemap through Search Console
- Review automated 301s
Wix
- Use SEO tools in dashboard
- Set up 301 redirects in Site Manager
- Update XML sitemap
- Monitor through integrated analytics
export default function RedirectGuide() {
return (
Multi-Platform Redirect Implementation
{/* Apache Section */}
Apache (.htaccess)
{`RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} ^oldsite.com$ [OR]
RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} ^www.oldsite.com$
RewriteRule (.*)$ https://newsite.com/$1 [R=301,L]`}
{/* Nginx Section */}
Nginx (server block)
{`server {
server_name oldsite.com www.oldsite.com;
return 301 $scheme://newsite.com$request_uri;
}`}
{/* WordPress Section */}
WordPress (PHP)
{`add_action('template_redirect', function() {
$redirects = [
'/old-page' => '/new-page',
'/old-product' => '/new-product'
];
$current_url = $_SERVER['REQUEST_URI'];
if (isset($redirects[$current_url])) {
wp_redirect($redirects[$current_url], 301);
exit;
}
});`}
);
}
export default function MigrationChecklist() {
return (
Migration Monitoring Checklist
Daily Checks
✓
Test key redirect paths
Daily
✓
Monitor server response codes
Daily
Weekly Checks
✓
Review Search Console coverage
Weekly
✓
Check organic traffic trends
Weekly
);
}
