Title and content of posts not seen by Google

[Kerrith]

How do I ensure that search engines can see the topic title and the content of posts and replies?

For example: Using an older post if I Google search the topic title, "Leadership Training: must-read for teachers" or a sentence within the post, "Someone stuck in the process of becoming a leader will vote non-verbally to have incompetent fellow teachers." neither show up.

Got tip? Thanks, Kerry

[Kindred]

There is no way to "ensure" anything with google.

However, you do need to make certain that guests can SEE  the posts.

What is your site?
Have you signed up for google webmaster and/or added a sitemap?

[Kerrith]

Hi Kindred,

Forum = Big Island Forum < http://www.bigislandforum.org/forums/index.php >

Re: "Have you signed up for google webmaster and/or added a sitemap?" Neither. I'm not familiar with either. Would they help Google search us?

[青山 素子]

Re: "Have you signed up for google webmaster and/or added a sitemap?" Neither. I'm not familiar with either. Would they help Google search us?

A sitemap may, as it's basically listing all browsable URLs for a search engine. Google Webmaster is handy as it will let you know if Google is having trouble accessing your site, or if malware is detected on your site. You can sign up at https://www.google.com/webmasters/

[Kerrith]

Thanks all. I've enabled Google Webmaster and will install a sitemap. Much appreciation.

[Arantor]

I'm also really not sure about your robots.txt file, it's entirely possible it's actually blocking robots from the forum.

[Kerrith]

I'm also really not sure about your robots.txt file, it's entirely possible it's actually blocking robots from the forum.

Does this look right?
User-agent: Mediapartners-Google*
Allow: /sitemap.htm
Sitemap: http://www.managercoaching.com/mcsitemap.xml
Disallow:
Disallow: /admin.php
Disallow: /admin/
Disallow: /db/
Disallow: /images/
Disallow: /includes/
Disallow: /install/
Disallow: /themes/
Disallow: /blocks/
Disallow: /modules/
Disallow: /language/

[Illori]

why are you disallowing all those? most of those dont even exist in SMF.

[Kerrith]

Yah, they were files in the website.

Is this mo betta?

User-agent: Mediapartners-Google*
Allow: /mcsitemap.xml
Sitemap: http://www.managercoaching.com/mcsitemap.xml

[Arantor]

Well, what are you trying to accomplish?

[Kerrith]

I'm wanting to optimize our website with its SMF so that guests-visitors to our SMF will be able to read the posts and replies. I noticed that when I did Google searches of quoted text in a SMF post/replies that it would not appear. Same for SMF topic names.

It was suggested that I install Google Webmaster and a sitemap along with a robot.txt file.

[Arantor]

The robots.txt file I saw earlier had so much more stuff in it including a variety of rules that would exclude various bits of the forum and attempt to include others. That's the part I was very confused about.

I have no idea whether this current set will do anything since I don't know if Google still looks for media partners as user agent.

[Kerrith]

Thanks Arantor. I'll test it for a few days.