XF 1.1 vB -> XF Migration. Google's Almost De-Indexed Old URLs. Now What?

[TheBigK]

We migrated from vB ( domain.com/forum) to Xenforo ( domain.com/community ) in December last year and Google now shows only about ~200 links to the old place ( /forum ). I'm sure Google will remove the remaining links in a week or so.

Note that I've had the redirects in place which tell Google the new destination of the threads. My questions are :-

1. What should be my next step when I see <50 old URLs listed in Google.
2. Is it now safe to remove the /forum (old) directory?
3. Do I need any changes to the .htaccess file?
4. Those who've done it; is there any important point you'd want me to consider?

 

[Jake Bunce]

Once Google has finished updating your links then you no longer need the redirects. But they might still be useful for old bookmarks and links in posts.

 

[Digital Doctor]

and links in posts.

Is there a way to convert the old links new links ?

 

[oloman]

Hi Bigk

Is your traffic over 1st December ?

I'd say now old urls are removed you can submit a site map every day

 

[TheBigK]

Once Google has finished updating your links then you no longer need the redirects. But they might still be useful for old bookmarks and links in posts.

Right. So can I just keep the .htaccess file in /forum/ and delete rest of the files?

 

[TheBigK]

Hi Bigk

Is your traffic over 1st December ?

I'd say now old urls are removed you can submit a site map every day

We usually have Jan - March as the highest traffic months. Because of the redirects; the traffic did go down and it's steadily improving. I'm expecting the traffic to be completely back by June. We recently installed Sitemaps; but don't see that they're helping us a lot.

 

[Jake Bunce]

Is there a way to convert the old links new links ?

It requires a custom script.

 

[Jake Bunce]

Right. So can I just keep the .htaccess file in /forum/ and delete rest of the files?

The redirects will consist of the .htaccess file and the files from this package:

http://xenforo.com/community/threads/redirection-scripts-for-vbulletin-3-x.5030/

All of those files must remain.