Moving servers - redirecting google search results
 

Hi :)

I'm moving servers soon. And most of my board traffic, besides registered users, is from google search results. Now I have seen a hack here that redirects to the new forum, but I can't seem to find it... :ermm:

I need files like index.php that redirects all calls like:

olddomain/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=4

to

newdomain/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=4

Hope someone can help :)

Thanks!

The one and only way you want to do this is through a permanent redirect. This is also what Google officially recommends in your case.

Example:
In .htaccess, add the following code:

# Redirect olddomain.com etc to www.newdomain.com
RewriteEngine on
RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} !^www.newdomain.com$
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ http://www.newdomain.com/$1 [R=permanent,L]

If your new domain also has a static ip, let's say 66.150.190.10, you should add this, and the mod-rewrite becomes:

# Redirect olddomain.com etc to www.newdomain.com
RewriteEngine on
RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} !^.66.150.190.10$
RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} !^www.newdomain.com$
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ http://www.newdomain.com/$1 [R=permanent,L]

Note that it can take Google several months until it has fully updated its search cache. Only make sure to leave the permanent redirect in place.

Thank you! :D