Why do we need the Topics Page?

1. 68

   dilipchandra12posted 11 years ago

   After the recent Panda Update, most of my hubs are indexed on HubPages (Topics Page) instead of my sub-domain.
   
   My Google authorship was gone after the Panda Update (before the update it was there) and most of my hubs are indexed on HubPages (Topics Page). The URL link in the Google search to most of my hubs showing the HP topics page.
   
   There is a known fact, Google Authorship (Pic displaying next to the hub/article in the search) improves traffic. But now that is no more, hubs are not indexed on my sub-domain (Google Authorship Gone!) instead indexed on HubPages topics page. Traffic too has come down.
   
   I have a question, Do we really need the topics pages, what is the use of topics page?
   
   Is there anyway i get the hubs indexed in Google on my sub-domain name so that my Authorship returns and perhaps traffic too increases?

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2. 80

   Marcy Goodfleischposted 11 years ago

   We absolutely need a topics page or a way of indexing what people can find on the site. Think of it as a magazine (a huge one), or a library or archive.  Someone picks up the magazine at a checkout line, and they leaf through the contents listings to see what they can read in addition to the story that initially attracted them. If you go into a library, you need a way to find out what's on the shelves. 
   
   There are certainly ways to improve everything over the years, and we will likely see changes in the topics pages as staff analyze how it's used and how well it reflects current Internet trends.  But without one, we would lose readership. It would be nice for there to be an easy way to draw people to it from every page - right now, it's hidden more than it perhaps needs to be. 
   
   I thought there was still a way to claim authorship - someone posted about it on the forum recently.  But I don't think those two things (authorship and topics page) should be mutually exclusive.

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      dilipchandra12posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      But, hubs of mine, only those hubs getting higher traffic are indexed on HubPages name and rest on my sub-domain.

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         paradigmsearchposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         .
         The $64,000 question...
         
         Will the high traffic remain if/when the hub is "credited"/"moved" back to the subdomain?

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         1. 68

            dilipchandra12posted 11 years agoin reply to this

            Yes and i believe traffic might go up as well. This is have observed when i had the Authorship (Pic next to the article).

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         nufoundgloryposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         How about we GET TO CHOOSE if we want our hubs to be on Topics page or not. I personally would want my hubs to be on Hubpages' topics page, because I've noticed some of my hubs are getting traffics from there.
         
         But mr. dilipchandra12 here obviously DOESN'T want his hubs on Topics page. So the best is to let hubbers simply choose on their own. Right? Possible?

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3. 80

   Marcy Goodfleischposted 11 years ago

   Are you possibly referring to hubs that have become unfeatured?  Check with Admin on that - it doesn't sound like the topics page is the issue.  Hope you get it ironed out!

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   1. 68

      dilipchandra12posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      All my hubs are featured. All those hubs of mine getting good traffic are not indexed on my sub-domain and they are not showing up in my WMT also.
      
      I searched the titles in Google, they are appearing on the Page 1 but the URL is not showing up my sub-domain name and showing the HubPages topics page instead.

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4. 74

   livewithrichardposted 11 years ago

   The good news is that your hubs, if showing up in on the Topics page, are indexed in Google which is the most important thing. 
   
   I have found that the reason the hub is indexed to the Topics page instead of my subdomains is because the Topics pages carry a lot more weight in the search engines.  The only way that is going to change is if I heavily promote my hubs using the URL that I prefer (the one through my subdomain). 
   
   Right now, traffic is traffic so I'll take what I get and in the meantime, I'll promote away....

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   1. 68

      dilipchandra12posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I agree with you. But, i observed one point here. They are slowly coming down, every hub of mine ranking 1 on the first page of Google are now slowly moving down and the traffic too is going down.

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5. 65

   Astra Nomikposted 11 years ago

   Richard is correct. I found my Hubs in the Topic section for poetry and they are featured and so being indexed by Google when searches happen.
   
   I have found that by occasionally mentioning a hub of mine or someone else on Hub Pages via a tweet, or via Facebook or a Pin (or whatever) - a few more eyes get to view or see my hubs. I don't over promote them. Having an active profile on the top 3 or 4 social media does help, As does keeping the conversation about your hubs or activity in your blog if you have one. If others are mentioning you, so much the better. Have faith. Hub Pages is a great community and there are so many writers here.

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