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Annie201

: Is it considered cloaking if I show different content to users depending on wether or not the pageview was a "landing"? If a user comes to my website from an external source, the page they

@Annie201

Posted in: #Cloaking #Content #Google #LandingPage #Seo

If a user comes to my website from an external source, the page they landed on will be modified to include all the "landing page tips and tricks that increase conversion," plus a small message pops up that tells them the rules for posting. If a user was on my website previously, the extra "landing page stuff" won't show, as it's assumed that he/she isn't new to the site anymore.

But Google thinks that I'm cloaking, for I received a message in the Search Console about this. Maybe it's because they detected the difference in content without knowing about that landing page feature.

I don't see how this is cloaking, because I'm not modifying the pages just for GoogleBot. Is it really cloaking? Should I be doing this? 'Cause I don't see anything wrong with it.

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@LarsenBagley505

Based on a strict reading of Google's webmaster guidelines and definitions it is considered cloaking, it may not have been designed to present alternate content to Google over the users but as it has that effect Google needs to treat it as such.

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@Kimberly868

Per Google's definition, this could be considered cloaking.

It really depends on how much the content varies and if it's consistent otherwise. There's bound to be some give but Google is the only one who can tell you if you've crossed it. Check Search Console for any Manual Actions.

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