Introduction
As an eCommerce business owner using Shopify, having your store URL show up as c12345-67.myshopify.com instead of your custom domain in Google search results can be frustrating. In this blog post, we will explore the reasons behind this issue and provide a detailed guide on how to hide or remove the c12345-67 from Google search results.
Reasons and Causes
The main reason your Shopify store appears as c12345-67.myshopify.com in Google search results is due to how search engines crawl and index websites. When you initially set up your Shopify store, it is assigned a default myshopify.com URL. If this URL is indexed by search engines before you set up your custom domain, it may continue to appear in search results.
Similar problems can occur when there are duplicate content issues, improper redirects, or inconsistent use of canonical tags on your website. All of these factors can confuse search engines and lead to the display of undesirable URLs in search results.
Guide to Hiding Your Shopify Store URL in Google
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Set Up and Verify Your Custom Domain: The first step is to ensure that your custom domain is properly set up and verified in your Shopify account. This will establish your custom domain as the primary URL for your store.
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Redirect the myshopify.com URL: Configure a 301 redirect from the c12345-67.myshopify.com URL to your custom domain. This will inform search engines that your custom domain is the preferred version of your website.
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Submit a Request for URL Removal: Use Google Search Console to submit a request for the removal of the unwanted URL. This process may take some time, but it will eventually prevent the myshopify.com URL from appearing in search results.
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Optimize Your Website: Ensure that your website is properly optimized for search engines by creating unique and relevant content, using proper meta tags, and implementing a sitemap.
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Monitor and Maintain: Continuously monitor your website's performance in search results and make adjustments as needed to ensure that the correct URL is displayed.
Questions and Answers
Q: Why is it important to hide my myshopify.com URL in Google search results?
A: Displaying a default myshopify.com URL can impact the credibility and branding of your store. Using your custom domain helps establish a professional online presence.
Q: How long does it take for the myshopify.com URL to be removed from Google search results?
A: The removal process can vary, but typically, it may take a few days to a few weeks for the unwanted URL to disappear from search results.
Q: Are there any other SEO implications of having a myshopify.com URL displayed in search results?
A: Yes, search engines may view duplicate content issues negatively, which can affect your website's overall SEO performance.
In conclusion, by following the steps outlined in this guide and addressing the root causes of the issue, you can effectively hide or remove the c12345-67.myshopify.com URL from Google search results and ensure that your custom domain is prominently displayed. Remember that consistency and proper optimization are key to maintaining a strong online presence.
