[Forum] New links in vBulletin 4 compared to vBulletin 3

[JKerviel12]

Hi all,

I notice that the links in vBulletin 4 show not a thread ID, but words (which is probably better for search engine optimization). My question is this: what will happen to old links when I upgrade from vB3 - and they still show on Google as the old link ID? Or will Google quickly correct it?

Thanks in advance

[Zachery]

The threadid are in the forum urls in vB4, but not vB5.

The vB3 default URL structure maps into vB4 (and 5) with a 301 redirect.

[JKerviel12]

The threadid are in the forum urls in vB4, but not vB5.

The vB3 default URL structure maps into vB4 (and 5) with a 301 redirect.

Ah, so Google would automatically redirect such an old link to the new one? Sorry for my ignorance.

[Zachery]

YEs, and your old links continue to be redirected.

[JKerviel12]

Well, it seems my worst fears have come true. I upgraded to vBulletin 4 from vBulletin 3 in February, and I've seen a massive fall in traffic coming from Google. I attach my referral report from Google Analytics.

[BirdOPrey5]

Is there a way to see a more specific day/week the traffic began falling off? I know Google updated their "Panda" algorithm at the end of January 2013, curious if it may be part of the issue.

[JKerviel12]

Is there a way to see a more specific day/week the traffic began falling off? I know Google updated their "Panda" algorithm at the end of January 2013, curious if it may be part of the issue.

Hmm I think the breakdown by day is the closest I can get. It seems to be falling off at around the first half of February. I did my upgrade on 13 February.

[JKerviel12]

Wait, you are right. It must have been Panda. I've narrowed down February, and it seems Google traffic has actually increased after my upgrade:

http://i40.tinypic.com/244wavs.gif

False alarm, sorry.