Faceted navigation, also known as faceted search, is a tool that allows users to filter the data on a website. It is commonly used on e-commerce sites, job boards, and real estate listings, and it can be a great way to improve the user experience.
However, if not done correctly, it can also harm your SEO efforts. In this post, we will discuss the ways in which faceted navigation can harm your SEO
Faceted Navigation Problems
- Duplicate or Near-Duplicate Pages
One of the biggest problems with faceted navigation is that it can create a large number of duplicate or near-duplicate pages. This happens when a user filters the data on a site, and the resulting pages are identical or very similar to each other. Search engines see these pages as spam and may penalize the site, which can negatively impact its visibility.
To avoid this problem, you should use the rel=”canonical” tag to point to the main category page. This tells search engines that the faceted pages are not the main pages and should not be indexed.
- URLs with Parameters
Another problem with faceted navigation is that it can create a large number of URLs with parameters. These URLs are often long and complex, making it difficult for search engines to crawl and index the site. This can also make it difficult for users to share links or bookmark pages, which can negatively impact the user experience.
To avoid this problem, you should use rel=”next” and rel=”prev” to indicate pagination. This tells search engines that the pages are part of a series and should be indexed together. You should also avoid indexing faceted navigation URLs in robots.txt.
- Thin Content Pages
Faceted navigation can also create a large number of thin content pages. These pages often contain little or no unique content and provide little value to users. Search engines may see these pages as low-quality and may penalize the site, which can negatively impact its visibility.
To avoid this problem, you should ensure that each faceted page contains unique and valuable content that is relevant to the user’s query.
- Poor User Experience
Lastly, if not done correctly, faceted navigation can create a poor user experience. Users may become frustrated with the complexity of the navigation and may leave the site. This can result in high bounce rates and low engagement, which can negatively impact the site’s visibility.
To avoid this problem, you should ensure that the faceted navigation is easy to use and understand. The navigation should be clearly labeled and organized, and the filters should be relevant to the user’s query.
In conclusion, faceted navigation is a powerful tool that can improve the user experience
Also, Check: How to fix faceted navigation issues
To avoid these problems, you should use rel=”canonical” to point to the main category page, use rel=”next” and rel=”prev” to indicate pagination, and avoid indexing faceted navigation URLs in robots.txt. You should also ensure that each faceted page contains unique and valuable content that is relevant to the user’s query, and the navigation should be clearly labeled and organized. By following these best practices, you can ensure that your faceted navigation improves the user experience and does not harm your SEO efforts.
Check: 5 Strategies to Design a Successful Social Media Marketing Plan
