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[Solved] Search engine crawling bots
Topic Started: May 14 2014, 04:50 PM (673 Views)
sdwe96
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Do search engine crawling bots count toward view counts?
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DaPizzaMan
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#TeamSupport

I'm almost positive they do, yes.
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Jason
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Have to agree with DPM - unfortunately ZB doesn't have an option to block search engine spiders or even assign them to a group of their own which can cost a lot of money if you have ad-removal.

Unless you block spiders IP ranges on masse I think you are stuck with the problem. Even then, not sure if it would count as a page view if an error message is displayed because a certain member/group/IP address cannot view a particular page due to permissions.
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sdwe96
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Thanks, I was just curious. When I had ad removal a few years back I just made it so guests could see ads and bots are guests. Bots don't bother me. In fact I think they are doing a good job of indexing and getting forums noticed on google searches. Much more efficient than a few years ago.
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Cory
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Lout: There is meta data search engine bots can read to not index your site: https://support.google.com/webmasters/answer/93710?hl=en
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SandyC (PM)
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Bot views seem to count on my forum, I started a couple of topics a few months ago and watched for about an hour, during that time I only had bots come in, and the view count on both had gone up to about 28 views during that time.. All my members were offline and in bed at the time, and I know a lot of the bots IP's now, so know it was bots knocking up the view count..

It's good getting the bots in though, at least if they go into good topics it gets our forums out there on Google searches a bit, all good if trying to get members eh, we all want new members..
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sugarpuff
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I always gets loads of search engines on my place. It helps to have a domain name I think, makes it easier for search engines to find. They are really cheap from where I get mine from.

Not bothered if it adds to the viewing count or not really. I've got lots of members posting, that's what matters to me. :)
Edited by sugarpuff, May 19 2014, 08:05 AM.
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SandyC (PM)
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Don't have a domain, but still get 30 to 40 bots on at a time, at that rate, why pay for a domain, you still get indexed on Google, may as well get indexed for free eh...
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sugarpuff
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Maybe so, but having a URL like this: http://yourname.their name.com makes it harder to find and harder for people to remember. If you spend your time promoting that URL, then want to move to another service, it's going to be much harder, because you'll have to promote your new URL all over again. With mine, that isn't a problem. Domain names make things simpler and they are so cheap. Just my opinion anyway. :)
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SandyC (PM)
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The same works in reverse too, if you decide to drop a domain because it's no longer affordable, but I found I never had to advertise for bots, they showed up on their own from day one, I just gave a little nudge for a few days..
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sugarpuff
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Domain names are so affordable, there isn't really any reason not have one, and having bots visit is all very well, but it's real people you want. :)

A domain name like mine is easy to remember, not one littered with dashes and forward/backward slashes. Just my opinion though. I would always get a domain name. :)
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SandyC (PM)
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Personal choice is a reason for not getting a domain..
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sugarpuff
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Indeed. But you have premium so I don't see why you don't get a domain name too. Still as you say, personal choice and all that. :)
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SandyC (PM)
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True, but then premium and domain names are two different things eh, and as such is getting off topic too..

IMO it doesn't matter two hoots if you have domain or not, either way we'll still get both bots and visitors into our forums, it's all preferences.. I can see a few businesses wanting domains because of possible similarities to competitors businesses, but even then it's doubtful, depending on the name of the business..

In our cases I feel that seeing as we're able to name our forums pretty much what we like within reason, having a domain isn't an essential thing.. Our forums will still get indexed on Google and other search engines irrespective of whether there's a domain or not, bots don't discriminate between the two..

I could've renewed my domain when I sifted forum, but doing so would've cost about $120 for one year with the exchange rate being what it is, so I figured the money was better off in my pocket and being put towards either the next family birthday or christmas.. The bots are still coming in in biggish numbers, and they're bringing people in after that, so I may as well use my money for other constructive things..

Sure, I could buy a domain, then get ad removal etc etc, but where do we draw the line on how much we're willing to spend, and is it necessary?..
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Jonathan
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I believe the original question was answered long ago - please try to keep discussion of this type to the appropriate section of the board.

If anyone would like further assistance, just open another topic or ticket from your Admin CP. :)

Jonathan
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