Recommendations for User-Friendly URL Modules that Aren't Dumb?

[MK1990]

Hi all,

So I installed an SEO-url module from Magneticone about several months ago. It's called seo-url module, but the reason I installed it is because it just looks cleaner than dynamic ones.

So it redirects a dynamic url to a specified url perfectly fine except...
It cannot distinguish what category the product is in.

So for example, if I have a 'pretty-glass-bowl' in the 'glass-bowls' category, I want the url to be

/glass-bowls/pretty-glass-bowl.

But all of the following urls will go to the exact same page:
/pretty-glass-bowl
/wine-glasses/pretty-glass-bowl
/glass-vases/pretty-glass-bowl
/whatever-category/pretty-glass-bowl

This not only doesn't make sense, but is also creating numerous duplicates in Google Webmaster tools.

Is there any seo url that doesn't break and isn't dumb?
Any real-usage story would be great.

Thanks a lot!

[fairestcape]

The simple reality is this:

1. These "seo url" modules do absolutely zero to your search engine results (with the exception that if the module damages your site, you risk dropping down the SERPS - or disappearing all together. This seems to be your current situation.)

2. Search engines PREFER that the URL is not tampered with, because all major search engines can follow well-structured dynamic URL's without any problem, and can then assess the content and index the page.

3. All major search engines will provide the click-thru from their results pages as textual links - not the originating URL. So the search engines provide the verbal clarity in their link for the visitor anyway.

4. These "seo modules" can do more harm than good, and raise conflicts and errors in many parts of your site.

We have never used these mods because of the huge risks they pose. They are completely unnecessary. The majority of the 200 zc sites we have built enjoy good Google rankings. We have one client who has 375 products, and ALL 375 products are shown in positions 1, 2, or 3 on Google.