[Resolved] WPML Translated Homepages Not Indexed + Strange URL Parameters
This thread is resolved. Here is a description of the problem and solution.
Problem: The client is using WPML to translate their website into multiple languages and is facing issues with the visibility of their translated homepages on Google Search. The translated pages are not indexed by Google, and strange URL parameters like '?method=ical' and '?ref=balancegurus' are appearing, potentially affecting SEO. Solution: 1. We recommended updating the WPML plugin and its add-ons to the latest version, 4.7.2, to ensure all recent bug fixes and improvements are applied. Instructions for updating can be found here: http://wpml.org/faq/install-wpml/ 2. We suggested creating a Google Webmaster account, submitting the sitemap, and monitoring the URLs to check which are not indexed and why. 3. We identified that the 'Browser automatic redirect' feature might be causing issues with page indexing. We advised disabling this feature, which can be found under WPML → Languages. More information on how this setting affects Google indexing can be found here: https://wpml.org/documentation/getting-started-guide/language-setup/automatic-redirect-based-on-browser-language/how-browser-language-redirect-affects-google-indexing/ 4. The URL parameter '?ref=balancegurus' appears to be linked to external promotions, suggesting an external or internal addition of these parameters. 5. We confirmed that keeping the SEO option 'Display alternative languages in the HEAD section' checked is beneficial.
If this solution does not resolve your issue or seems outdated, we highly recommend checking related known issues at https://wpml.org/known-issues/, verifying the version of the permanent fix, and confirming that you have installed the latest versions of themes and plugins. If further assistance is needed, please open a new support ticket at WPML support forum.
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Background of the issue:
I’m using WPML to translate my website, and I’m experiencing an issue with my homepage’s visibility on Google Search. My site is translated into French, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Italian, and both Simplified and Traditional Chinese. My English homepage has consistently ranked 1st, 2nd, or 3rd on Google for the past 20 years, but none of my translated homepages appear in search results for generic Ayurvedic Yoga Massage (in its local language). Despite my SEO tools indicating that these pages are well-optimised, they remain unranked.
Additional concern: Searching for "Ayurvedic Yoga Massage Training", some result come but with a strange URL parameters on Home translated pages, such as ?method=ical and ?ref=balancegurus, appear unrelated to the homepage content and might be affecting search rankings.
E.G:
1️⃣ French Homepage (“formation Massage Ayurvédique Yoga”) appears with iCal parameter:
👉 hidden link
2️⃣ Portuguese Homepage (“Cursos de Yoga Massagem Ayurvédica”) appears with a referral parameter (?ref=balancegurus):
👉 hidden link
3️⃣ German Homepage (“Ayurvedische Yoga-Massage-Ausbildung”) appears with iCal parameter:
👉 hidden link
I made some research on ChatGpt: WPML might be generating incorrect canonical tags, which could be affecting indexing.
Symptoms:
Translated homepages are not indexed by Google, and strange URL parameters appear on translated pages.
Questions:
Why are my translated homepages appearing with additional parameters like ?method=ical and ?ref=balancegurus?
Could WPML be affecting how these pages are indexed by Google?
Is WPML incorrectly generating these URLs, causing issues with SEO?
How can I ensure that my homepages appear correctly without these strange parameters?
Is this a known issue, and are there any recommended fixes?
Could this issue be related to how WPML handles translations?
Does WPML impact how translated pages are indexed and ranked by Google?
Is there anything in WPML’s configuration that might discourage crawling or indexing of translated pages?
While one of my teammates handles your ticket, I will provide you with initial debugging steps.
Please update your WPML plugin and add-ons to the latest version, 4.7.2, to benefit from the latest bug fixes and improvements. This may not necessarily resolve your problem; however, we need to work on the newest code available to troubleshoot the issue best.
You can check the latest released versions under "My Account -> Downloads" on this site. Instructions to update can be found here: http://wpml.org/faq/install-wpml/
If you do not see the updates, you might need to click the Check for updates button in the Plugins → Add New Plugin → Commercial tab.
Please remember to backup your database before you proceed.
Let us know if the issue persists after an update has been done.
1) First, what I would suggest is to create Google webmaster account and submit your sitemap, then monitor URLs / check what are not indexed and why, this will tell you if everything is okay or not.
2) Note, that this not something that WPML usually does, but I see an option that might cause problems. I see you are using Browser automatic redirect, it can cause issue with pages not being indexed:
I advise disabling this and waiting a few weeks for Google to index the pages again.
3) As for ?ref=balancegurus?, I see this is promotion website (BalanceGurus is the worlds Largest promotion and listing platform for Yoga, Ayurveda, Meditation and Pilates), so I suspect either you or somebody is adding these references from your website or from that promotion platform.
If you have further doubts, I would advise hiring SEO expert to help on this matter.
If you have any other issue or question related to WPML, let me know and I will be glad to help.
Thanks,
I looked in WPML Settings for "Browser automatic redirect" but cannot find it.
Where can i uncheck it please? Thanks so much for your help.
Sylvain
