Is it possible to noindex all URLs with any query string?

  • Resolved wpwebdevj

    (@wpwebdevj)


    2 years, 9 months ago

    Is there any option to noindex any URL with a query string? For example, if comment moderation is enabled, the visitor will get redirected to a URL like the one below after leaving a comment.

    http://example.com/somepost/?unapproved=xxx&moderation-hash=xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx#comment-xxx

    Is it possible to noindex this along with any other similar URLs with query strings?

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)
  • Plugin Author Sybre Waaijer

    (@cybr)

    2 years, 9 months ago

    Hello!

    There’s no need to noindex those endpoints because those aren’t public or even canonically recognized by WordPress’s Rewrite API. Even if search engines like Google spot the URLs, TSF will forward them to the post without the moderation query strings via the canonical URL metatag.

    Moreover, TSF protects your site from malicious indexing (spamdexing) via its unique Advanced Query Protection, which is enabled by default starting from TSF v4.0.5 onward.

    To ascertain Google isn’t picking up on these query strings, you should check in with the indexing/coverage report on Google Search Console. To learn more, please see https://support.google.com/webmasters/answer/7440203.

    With all that said, if you truly find issues with query endpoints, then the plugin creating them should be emended.

    Thread Starter wpwebdevj

    (@wpwebdevj)

    2 years, 9 months ago

    It’s not causing any indexing issues, just wondering if it could theoretically. Thanks for the explanation.

    Plugin Author Sybre Waaijer

    (@cybr)

    2 years, 9 months ago

    Hello!

    Yes it’s possible in practice; it just requires using a filter (example). I don’t think this is necessary for the vast majority (read: 80%+, probably 99.99%) of our users, so it’s not a feature readily accessible.

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)
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