Hiding from Google !

[MacAddict]

Yep, you read it right !.

When my site is developed, I would like to post it here and benefit from people's input and help others learn ... but how do I hide the link from the search engines on posts here. May be I am being paranoid about the image of my brand, but for a good while, google will show the ukbusinessforums thread ahead of my own website ! and some customers may perceive some of the comments on the thread negatively.

What are pople thoughts on this subject ?

[glencooley.com]

You need to become a memeber and post it in the link in the members area review my site thread.

Or PM people with the link

Thanks

[RedEvo]

Yup, the 'review my site' type posts are supposedly a privilege of membership although I don't think it says so in the forum rules - perhaps it should.

d

[MacAddict]

sure, I see what you are saying, but I think I am asking a slightly different question. How can I stop the thread showing up on a search engine, once I have posted it ? Does the Members area not get indexed ?

[glencooley.com]

No the members area doesnt get indexed

[forlow-designs]

If the members area is not an option for you.

I suppose you could try something like this:

I wantto hidefrom google [.] co [.] uk

It's a pain for us having to delete the spaces, but it would work :)

[MacAddict]

RedEvo, glencooley

cheers, more reason to join I guess.

forlow-designs,
I thought of obfuscating the link, but as you say it may get difficult


Out of interest, whats the general opinion on this ? am I too paranoid
?

[Steve2507]

When my site is developed, I would like to post it here and benefit from people's input and help others learn ... but how do I hide the link from the search engines on posts here. May be I am being paranoid about the image of my brand, but for a good while, google will show the ukbusinessforums thread ahead of my own website ! and some customers may perceive some of the comments on the thread negatively.

I may be being a bit thick here, but I still don't understand why you are worried.

If you look hard enough every brand will have negative comments about it somewhere, it is how you handle those negative comments that will win the user round.

[forlow-designs]

I thinkyour right to worry... but are worrying too much.

If your seen posting comments here, asking for help and advice etc and it shows up on google results....

Then yes, maybe some of your customers might think "hold on... he's asking them guys for advice, lets take a look... maybe it's not as professional / well established as we though".

But, on the other side of the coin.... It can be a good thing. It can show customers that you want to get it right. You are asking advice and getting feedback.

[MacAddict]

I may be being a bit thick here, but I still don't understand why you are worried.

If you look hard enough every brand will have negative comments about it somewhere, it is how you handle those negative comments that will win the user round.

Absolutely, I plan to have a blog as a means of open and transparent communication. But I think I am worried about this because in the first 6 months or so, the thread will show up on google above the site itself ! like I said, I am open to being told I am too paranoid.

[nick_b]

ive had this very problem with my business i asked admin to make the said threads undetectable by google.

[MacAddict]

ive had this very problem with my business i asked admin to make the said threads undetectable by google.

Surely its too late by then, with google caching etc !

Can you say a bit more please. eg what you were experiencing and how you felt it was affecting your business ?

Thanks

[boho]

Post your site in the review part of the Private Full Members Only part of the forum, which is not indexed, this means you can receive a critique without any worries and in a safe environment, plus those that can review are generally members who have been around for a while or owned businesses for a while - which can be very useful.

Not that I'm suggesting that you wouldn't get good feedback from non full members or that they haven't run businesses equally well :redface: , but you will avoid the 1 post wonders who want to sell their services and you can keep it out of google until you're happy to put it in that arena yourself.

[An Oasis]

Yep, you read it right !.

When my site is developed, I would like to post it here and benefit from people's input and help others learn ... but how do I hide the link from the search engines on posts here. May be I am being paranoid about the image of my brand, but for a good while, google will show the ukbusinessforums thread ahead of my own website ! and some customers may perceive some of the comments on the thread negatively.

What are pople thoughts on this subject ?

Don't post a link/ref to your site until you are ready, simple! What have you got to hide? Paranoid... Yep.

As for UKBF ranking above your site... only on extreme long tail searches which will not even be worth thinking about.

[buhh]

I'm very paranoid, thats why you will never see me talking about my companies. I prefer to ask stupid questions without loosing my face

[Naughty Vend]

...I'd leave the links open if you are prepared to limit public comments on the forum, saving any more sensitive conversations for PM / Email etc. It would raise your link popularity rankings on the engines, thus your position within results.

[nick_b]

Surely its too late by then, with google caching etc !

Can you say a bit more please. eg what you were experiencing and how you felt it was affecting your business ?

Thanks

yes it does seem to be too late!

i requested admin to make the threads undetectable as initally i wanted them deleted but this is against forum rules as others have posted in the thread and therefore everyone would have to be notified that there writings have been deleted. BUT i feel its undermining my business as when u google the name these threads come up on the front page of a search. It makes me feel they can see im asking basic questions regards my business when that is the sort of info id rather they dont see quite obviously. they can also search my past threads with my username. It's certainly a lesson learnt. Im not sure what i can do to get rid of these threads now as i cant even edit my own writings in them!

[An Oasis]

I'm very paranoid, thats why you will never see me talking about my companies. I prefer to ask stupid questions without loosing my face

You really are weird! Put your knackers on the line - it will improve the quality of your postings for a start!:mad: