Adding slashes after URL address

[Claud]

I use sometimes slashes after a URL ( http://www.princorporated.com// for example ) because this way those are "counted" differently in the logs but Google makes no difference between a URL that has one slash after it or 2-more slashes.
However, I've seen that if you post 6 slashes after google, http://www.google.com///// or more you get a modified page instead of the same page (article link). I thought that those slashes were somehow "ignored" and that's why the same page appeared but now I'm not too sure, does anyone know why google makes a difference for its own domain?

[clasione]

I never realized that a backslash was used for anything other than a file seperator...

Guess it's an actual character...?

What is the reasoning behind using it?

[brian.mark]

I think you mean forward slash (/) instead of backslash (\).

I have seen Google count www.site.com/dir differently than www.site.com/dir/ in many instances. I've seen both listed for the same search at times, other times I've seen a duplicate content penalty. It seems to be pretty inconsistent at this point, but it is slowly getting better.

[sfowler]

It is good practice to place a forward slash after the base address (.com/). This speeds up the process of forwarding the request, since the browser has to think about it a bit and add the slash itself otherwise. I can see no reason to add more than one slash though.

[Rajeev Ranjan Singh]

hi
is \ or / is going to affect the PR of the site.

[sfowler]

No, it simply makes the link open more quickly if you add the slash.

[pedstersplanet]

I find that sometimes that if you do

http://www.example.com/testdir

then the www is taken away:

http://example.com/testdir/

but if you add the '/' after directories, the www stays. However, this is all down to the server cofig, and doesn't affect PR etc (well, unless youre checking it against the pr toolbar)

There, a bit of useless info, which isn't worth of a MVP...... ;)

[Claud]

Originally Posted by clasione

I never realized that a backslash was used for anything other than a file seperator...

Guess it's an actual character...?

What is the reasoning behind using it?

I sometimes added in the link I used in signature when sending emails, 2 forward slashes just to "track" how many people click on that only. Because in the logs it's recorded as a different entry then the link that has only one forward slash. That's my reason, tracking.

[davebarnes]

Is it possible for people to spell "separator" correctly?

EAA
not
EEA

,dave

[Duncan Pollock]

Dave: I just can't resist:
Trying to get people to obey -- or even become aware of -- the illogical rules of spelling is a despErate business!

Duncan

[kidsfreesoul]

No wonder, a slash is an ISP cache problem!! Ask me and a web designer like me find it a headache because every time you update the page and upload it, if the local ISP whose Internet connexion I been using, has not cleared the cache, than I always find an old page! I have rang up my local ISP and told him to clear my cache forever but sometimes in case, if he's not cleared the cache, you have to go with a process of deleting history files and cookies n refreshing n all or if in hurry, I do is add a slash and keep adding slash as many times I update the same page.www.extremetracking.com tracker shows the /// slashes behind its tracked urls too! I also put a no cache script someone gave me on webproworld boards but that too, doesn't work except I did a lot of shouting with the ISP help desk boys and now they are supporting me so well and clear my site caches if not done. Whenever I have this prob, first thing I do is Phone my ISP.

This site says something about this cache:
http://www.cyberhostplus.biz/tutoria...Your%20ISP.htm

http://editor.actrix.gen.nz/byarticle/cache.htm

About google, maybe any other site a slash isn't required coz a surfer is not updating the google page! Its google webmaster who would need slashes behind if their ISP isn't clearing the cache!

I guess this is an answer to "What is the reasoning behind using it?"

If anyone has a different view, pls share.

- blossomsmile ilaxi
Edited my mod Webnauts. Links to you web site may only be in your signature.