SEO - Meta descriptions and Catalog Overall Layout

[merchant2012]

I have the following issues:

1) Catalog description appearing on the Product pages (Large) - There is solution given in the KB to hide the description using jscript but I am sure Google will not like this.  Is there any other way to address this issue.

2) I understand that it is not possible to add meta description in the catalog and product pages. (surprised that BC thinks that these were not important enough).  Do you think it is appropriate to use one of the custom fields in the Products to create meta description for catalog and products e.g. Custom field 1 could be allocated to meta description for catalog (just the first product on the specific catalog) and custom field 2 for the product meta descriptions?     <meta name="description" content= {customfield1}/>

Thanks, SM

[sharifer007]

Can you give me the link to the KB article describing how to hide the description uisng javascript?  I can't seem to find this one.

[Liam Dilley · Accepted solution]

Hey there.

1. Does it say that, Can you post a link to this, your right, it wont have any effect on google seeing it.

2. You can add meta description to product pages using one of the custom fields. I would avoid using meta description for catalogs. You wont see any SEO boost at all with it and without it you wont see any negative effect. Give it to next year and it is likely these are not used by google at all.

[merchant2012]

Thank you Liam.  I have this now for the products and will leave the catalog as suggested.  Although, this is the first time I have seen somebody saying meta description won't effect your search results. Google seems to suggest that it will improve the search results and clickthorugh rate. http://support.google.com/webmasters/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=35624#1

Do you know any work around for the catalog description issue. I don't want to have the description on the product page and if I make it hidden (which I am doing it currently) I think google will penalise not just for hidden text but also for duplicate content. http://support.google.com/webmasters/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=66353 

http://support.google.com/webmasters/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=66359

Thanks.SM

[merchant2012]

Here it is: http://kb.worldsecuresystems.com/606/bc_606.html

[Luke Grayson]

Yeah I'm also looking for a solution to Catalogue Description issue. I have it added to the overall Catalogue layout and it shows up on the Large Products pages. Again, like merchant2012 said, I could hide this using JS but it doesn't make a difference to Google. I understand Google's duplicate policy and realise I'm unlikely to be penalised, but I think it's equally un-useful to have that much duplicate content floating around.

Anyone know a solution?

[Liam Dilley]

Its not about duplicate policy as that is not so relevant to the same domain as cross domain, common misconception. But in terms of keywords, what to use for the description of the page etc it will use the wrong content.

You either do not do this as the catalog SEO is not as important as the products or you put it at the bottom and javascript it to the top on the catalog view for visual.

That is all you can do.

[Luke Grayson]

Thanks Liam,

Yeah you're right about duplicate content not being an issue within one domain - that's why I wasn't concerned. I was just meaning it's redundant and - like you say - it dilutes/messes with the content on the actual product pages. I'm just unsure you mean by:

'...or you put it at the bottom and javascript it to the top on the catalog view for visual.'

[mario_gudelj]

Hey Luke,

Nothing in BC can be excluded from the overall layout (catalogue layout)

when you're viewing the large product layout since large product layout is

rendered by which resides inside the overall layout. So,

no. There's no way to exclude he content of catalogue's description inside

the large product view since it's wrapped inside catalogue view and there

are no workarounds. Once the Liquid is out you'll probably be able to if

else it.

M

On Wed, Jun 4, 2014 at 8:29 PM, Luke Grayson <forums_noreply@adobe.com>

[Liam Dilley]

You render it at the very bottom of your overall layout, have an empty div at the top and ONLY when in catalog view and not detail view you render the content from the bottom hidden element into the top empty one.

[Luke Grayson]

I understand. Looks like that's the best solution currently available if a catalogue description must be used. Thanks for your time mate - I appreciate it!

Thanks Mario - looking forward to Liquid!