Can you link to a noindex page from Google Business Profile?

[daniowens]

Hi there,

I wanted to start a discussion on this topic.

I don't really want to do this at all, but I was wondering if this is allowed by Google. I haven't found a direct answer on this topic, but it seems the answer is yes, that Google allows it but that it's not a great idea.

The only reason I'm asking about this is because of the 2024 Diversity Update. For some businesses that don't have another page to link to (for example, a multi-location business that only has one page for each location such as a Location Page), would adding a link to a non-indexable landing page in GBP be accepted by Google?

The concern is that the noindex page doesn't have any ranking authority so linking to it from GBP may negatively impact GBP rankings.

Some brands have quite a bit of red tape to cut through when making SEO changes, so I'm curious what others think of this approach when your hands are tied and you don't have another page to link to for the 2024 Diversity Update.

Some other notes so that this thread doesn't get off topic: We'd add the appropriate UTM codes to the non-indexable landing page so there won't be any GA and conversion tracking issues. That's not a concern. Making the non-indexable landing page indexible is not an option at this time.

 

[Brian - TGL]

Could you choose another already existing page that isn't ranking high but still has KWs that is indexed and still add your UTM (not a high ranking page as it was mentioned in the article that could negatively affect rankings also)?

Or at the very least you could propose a couple of changes to an existing page to make sure the customer journey is still useful?

In this case at least you wouldn't have to wonder how the noindex affects the process. I have seen various individuals "recommend" making sure the URL being submitted is indexed in the case that a URL won't get approved on a GBP but I have never seen any Google documentation referencing it.

 

[daniowens]

Could you choose another already existing page that isn't ranking high but still has KWs that is indexed and still add your UTM (not a high ranking page as it was mentioned in the article that could negatively affect rankings also)?

Or at the very least you could propose a couple of changes to an existing page to make sure the customer journey is still useful?

In this case at least you wouldn't have to wonder how the noindex affects the process. I have seen various individuals "recommend" making sure the URL being submitted is indexed in the case that a URL won't get approved on a GBP but I have never seen any Google documentation referencing it.

Thanks for popping in. I like those ideas but they aren't options at the moment.

In regards to noindex pages in GBP, I have never seen any Google documentation referencing it either.

 

[fisicx]

You can link from your GBP to anywhere you want. This can for example be a pdf price list or an orphan page.

Google really doesn't care as your outbound links have no impact on ranking of your GBP.

 

[keyserholiday]

I wouldn't do it. I suspect it would tank the GBP rankings. You can link to their Facebook page or Yelp listing.

 

[daniowens]

You can link from your GBP to anywhere you want. This can for example be a pdf price list or an orphan page.

Google really doesn't care as your outbound links have no impact on ranking of your GBP.

Thanks for commenting. I appreciate your contribution.

I respectfully disagree that the outbound link chosen for GBP has no impact on GBP rankings: https://www.sterlingsky.ca/does-the...my-business-impact-ranking-in-the-local-pack/

 

[daniowens]

I wouldn't do it. I suspect it would tank the GBP rankings. You can link to their Facebook page or Yelp listing.

I like the social media link idea. This is a good option when you're limited.

I'm also worried about tanking the GBP rankings by adding a page that's not indexable.

Thanks Jason!