Anyone got advice on how best to tackle this
Aside from a variety of other complications which I have solved I now have this for a client;
The site offers a variety of products under their brand name
The site also co-brands its pages when a user clicks through from certain websites. A cookie is set. Users with this cookie will see the co-branding on repeat visits
BUT some of the products are not available under the co-branded deal
the client requested that a visitor with this cookie set who clicks from a SERPs will either receive a 404 or be redirected to the (co-branded) homepage.
in my view the 404 is a bad idea
the redirect feels like cloaking, technically, and while of the mildest form this comes after a whole raft of major changes (all very genuine but big impact stuff) to the site and I feel this might push us over the edge.
do I have any options which will stop people with this cookie seeing these pages without causing potential issues? I know there are other/bigger solutions, but I want to be sure I can't resolve it within these constraints before I force one of them.
Whatever you do, don't treat visitors from Google differently from visitors who come directly.
If (when?) G picks up on this they will crucify your client as I believe they will see you treating "their users" different from other people.
What I would suggest is that ANY visitor that goes to URL X (page that may or may not have product depending on branding) is the page content shown is dependant on the user's cookie. IE referrer checking is not part of the equation at all.
EG.
Visitor comes direct to page A / client branded - Product Available
Visitor comes via G SERP to page A / client branded - Product Available
Visitor comes direct to page A but with white label cookie - Overlay shown, saying "Not available" (Def not a 404)
Visitor comes via G SERP to page A but with white label cookie - Overlay shown, saying "Not available" (Def not a 404)
i hope this helps.
BTW, as far as cloaking goes your client's perceived use is within G's definition but I admit it would be unlikely to be noticed algorithmically, although it would definately be seen on a manual check
thank you - I knew there was an easy solution :)
Sometimes you just can't see it!
:)
BTW, can you email me your best phone number / email please Gurtie. I'd love to catch up. :)