Can I change the URL of my published site without changing the permalink?

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Hey Guys and Gals,

I'm trying to "wrap my head" around this permalink thing, and am hoping I can seek your expert guidance. Keep in my mind, my site is already published.

So here is the question:

I've had the same URL for many years, and it is currently my site's web address.

I want to change my URL "website name" to a name that better defines my business containing a relevant keyword that is in my site content that I know is getting good monthly searches and low competition, i.e. a "low hanging fruit" keyword to improve my sites SEO.

Someone very reputable and held in high regard at WA suggested that I should change my URL, then redirect my current URL back to the NEW URL because the current URL meta tags would still exist even after the change of the URL.

But others have told me if I change the URL then I also must change the permalink - which can have DISASTROUS consequences, such as losing ALL my current rankings on Google. or even WORSE.disappearing from Google without a trace.

I was also considering changing my URL so I could create 2 or 3 additional meta tags and descriptions floating out there in the "Google ether."

SEO articles I have read and "experts" have told me strong keywords in meta tag titles are looked at by Google with greater importance than ONLY having the same keywords in your site content - HENCE why those same keywords should be repeated in the first 1-2 paragraphs of your site content i.e. blog post.to optimize higher search rankings.The more different keywords in your meta title(s) AND content, the better.

But then maybe I shouldn't be so concerned

Yesterday other "experts" told me the opposite: that meta tag titles DO NOT factor highly in SEO rankings according to Google. Site content is more important, even if it stands alone. Even so, I would still like to change my URL to a keyword that perfectly defines who I am and what my business is, and that matches a strong keyword in my site content.

But NOT if by changing my current URL (and thus permalink?) will cause me to lose my current rankings, some of which are already getting strong results.

This is very confusing. Too many conflicting opinions.

Short of several Google analytic experts divulging the current algorithm to me (lol!), the only next best thing I could think of is hearing a majority for me to be convinced.

So how do I get around this dilemma?

CAN I CHANGE MY URL WITHOUT CHANGING THE PERMALINK?

...or should I do something else?

Cheers,

Kaju


PS - Also, if I change my current URL and permalink, will I lose the current meta tag and meta description associated with that URL forever? Does it even matter?


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Recent Comments

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I don't have complete understanding how things work on the internet but what I know is that URLs are registered and marked as permanent part of a website.

Example: http://ilearnedtoloce.com is my domain name, and WA identifies my URL as ilearnedtolove.com. If I am going to change this, I am ultimately changing my domain name.

The possible solution could be, register another domain name in your interest or change your website name and move everything from the old site. I think you'll be safe and loss nothing.

Thank you for your comment Jimmy. Recently I bought (2) new domain names and redirected them to my site, but I don't believe they is doing anything for me in terms of SEO and driving traffic. .

I do know you are only allowed to changed your URL/ permalink once. As to your last point, I really have no interest in building a new site and assigning a new domain name.to it.

Marion makes a good point..

Dr. I appreciate your comment, there is no doubt about that.

But if was assured I could do something creative (other than continuing to write good content) to improve my SEO without possibly putting my site in harm's way I would do it without hesitation.

However, there seems to be a lot of ambiguity on this subject, and many experts can't even seem to agree.

Does http://google.com use keywords in their URL? Authority sites don't use keywords in their domain names, they make their own brand.

I get it. Don't chance it. Best to leave it alone and not do anything URL wise. It's fine the way it is.

Good content itself will raise rankings. Thanks Marion.

But would you give the same advice if the website were new and not getting much traffic? The site has only been live since Feb 1.

I'm getting high page site rankings (and You Tube) using any search with my name (Kaju), but the more "likely" keywords prospects would type in Google search - even the low competition keywords - my website is no where to be found.

Still this month (March) I've got 350 visits so far. Up from 218 in February.

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