Google PR is Case Sensitive

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Google PageRank is Case Sensitive


Summary:

URLs should be case sensitive according to web standards, a rule respected by Google and other search engines, but not by Microsoft servers. This discrepancy can lead to your website serving duplicate content across multiple pages. Learn how to protect your site from this issue.

Keywords:

Google PageRank, case sensitivity, SEO, search engine optimization, duplicate content

Article:


When examining SEO and URL practices, it’s important to recognize that URLs are inherently case sensitive according to web standards. Google and other search engines follow this guideline, but Microsoft’s servers do not, leading to potential duplication issues.

The Case Sensitivity Issue

A common problem arises when the same page is indexed multiple times under slightly different URLs (e.g., /ABC.htm, /abc.htm, /Abc.htm). This issue is detailed further [here](http://www.webmasterworld.com/google/3240068.htm).

The Microsoft Server Dilemma

The root of the issue lies in Microsoft's non-compliance with web standards. On Microsoft servers, URLs like /ABC.htm and /abc.htm are treated as identical, which contradicts the typical case-sensitive handling by search engines. This inconsistency can cause search engines to index duplicate content.

Impact on Websites

If your site is hosted on a Windows server, don’t panic, but be aware that duplicate content might affect your rankings. Search engines may not penalize your site directly, but duplicates can hinder your page's ability to rank for specific keywords.

Resolving the Issue

For those using Windows servers, it’s crucial to take action. While URL Rewrite features are common on other web servers, they're not natively available in IIS.

Solutions:

1. Server Component (IIS Alternative to URL Rewrite)
- Tools like [ISAPI Rewrite](http://www.isapirewrite.com/) provide an alternative, though they require installation on your server and aren't free or easy to set up.

2. Script with Permanent Redirection
- A more accessible solution involves using scripts to enforce lowercase URLs. Though this method doesn't cover static assets, it’s effective for dynamic pages.

Here's a basic VB Script to enforce case sensitivity:

```asp
<%
' Force lowercase URLs
If Request.ServerVariables("URL") <> LCase(Request.ServerVariables("URL")) Then
Response.Status = 301 ' Permanently Redirect
Response.AddHeader "Location", LCase(Request.ServerVariables("URL"))
Response.End()
End If
%>
```

Ensure this script runs before any HTML or content is delivered, to execute a proper redirect.

By addressing this case sensitivity issue, you can potentially improve your site's SEO performance. I hope this guide aids aspiring SEO professionals in solving duplicate content problems effectively.

You can find the original non-AI version of this article here: Google PR is Case Sensitive.

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