Supplemental Index is dead … Long live supplemental

August 13th, 2007

Its been known for a while … but the supplemental index as we know it is no more.  Whilst the index itself still exists, however search engine optimisation specialists such as ourselves are now unable to query the supplemental index in order to find out whether indeed the pages are supplemental or whether there is a greater problem looming.

To this effect, the ‘removal’ of the supplemental is a big step and a big deal for search engine optimisation professionals. Whilst from a visibility perspective it will make no difference at all, it will mean we will have to rely on more intelligent site development. In the meantime however we have compiled a couple of tips to help your pages stay out of the supplemental index.

• Ensure you have unique information on each page - that includes your title, description and to a lesser extent keywords (however probably worth doing for good practise). One of the reasons for being placed in the supplemental index is that Google deems your pages to be too similar
• Ensure your content is unique - this may not sound a big deal but you will be suprised by just how many people just ’scrape’ sites for content. As above - as the saying goes - familiarity breeds contempt (sort of )
• Get good relevant linkage into your site

Entry Filed under: Search Engines, SEO