Benefits Of Using Change Of Address In Webmaster Tool

Change of address is a unique feature provided by Google in its Webmaster Tools console. With the help of this feature, any webmaster can easily inform Google any changes made to the address of the website. Thus, if site A is moving to site B, the webmaster can simply mention this fact, and the work is done. Google will transfer all the website related details to site B.

However, there are several webmasters who can have some doubt when comparing with 301 redirect option. As it is well known, 301 redirect option, when employed within a website, redirects a webpage to another specified address. If both the address change option in Webmaster Tool and 301 redirect does the same task, then what is the difference?

Benefits Of Using Change Of Address In Webmaster Tool

Change of address is a unique feature provided by Google in its Webmaster Tools console. With the help of this feature, any webmaster can easily inform Google any changes made to the address of the website. Thus, if site A is moving to site B, the webmaster can simply mention this fact, and the work is done. Google will transfer all the website related details to site B.

However, there are several webmasters who can have some doubt when comparing with 301 redirect option. As it is well known, 301 redirect option, when employed within a website, redirects a webpage to another specified address. If both the address change option in Webmaster Tool and 301 redirect does the same task, then what is the difference?

In a recent video blog post by Matt Cutts, this issue saw some explanations regarding the exact usage and the benefits. The biggest difference is the main purpose. 301 redirect is a mechanism which is employed on webpages, whereas change of address option is employed on a wider range, with implications on the whole website.

Thus, when the webmaster just needs to redirect a particular page in a website, 301 would be appropriate. However, if the whole address of the website is being altered, the change of address option would be recommended. In fact for a proper relocation, Google suggests that both can be effectively used so as to make the website address change permanent.

Another doubt which pertains is regarding the notification after 180 days of address change in the Webmaster Tools. To clarify this issue, Matt told that in case the address is not changed again within 180 days and if 301 redirect is firmly in place, then is there is no requirement for the update.

Change of address option and 301 redirect can be both utilized by webmasters to notify Google that the address has been changed. They should be as per the context and the requirement, so as to bring out the best results.

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