How bad is it to rename a hub after it's published?

1. 62

   Daniel Carterposted 14 years ago

   So, I didn't do very good research about the hub name, and so I did it after the fact, learning that there are actually a few other articles on the net with the same title I used for my latest hub. I think I should rename it, and am okay for taking a few dings for a few weeks if it will help in the end. I am learning as quickly as I can about all these things, but focus on being a composer/writer more than an internet/SEO kinda guy. Any thoughts, advice very welcome.
   
   Thanks my friends.

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      wyanjenposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I recently renamed one of my own hubs. It needed to be changed. I'm still very new to writing here as opposed to printed publications, but I decided in the case of my hub that the title was most important.
      In my case I'm not seeing enough traffic yet that it would have a negative effect anyway... but I think content should be the priority.
      I'm interested to see what others will have to say

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      cosetteposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for asking this question. When I was new I didn't name my hubs in a clever fashion. I will go back and fix some of them now.

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2. 73

   livewithrichardposted 14 years ago

   I often change the title to hubs that are performing poorly and almost immediately see positive results. Try to put your keyword phrase in your title and also make sure you are writing an original summary text for each hub using your keywords.  The title, summary text, text module headings, and descriptive text for pictures should all contain your keywords.  This will really help in the search engines.

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      Paradise7posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      But, but but...You can change the title but not the URL, or so I thought.

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3. 70

   wyanjenposted 14 years ago

   Thanks!

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4. 83

   KCC Big Countryposted 14 years ago

   I would be willing to bet I only have maybe five of my hubs still with their original titles.  I change them after their views seem to drop off and it seems to work.

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5. 70

   wyanjenposted 14 years ago

   I'm writing titles like I would write headlines. I'm still adapting to targeting the search engines instead of people who are browsing.

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   Jackson Riddleposted 14 years ago

   However, if you change the title the URL doesnt change does it?

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7. 0

   poetlorraineposted 14 years ago

   wow the tricks of the trade

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8. 75

   NaomiRposted 14 years ago

   No, the URL doesn't change, but optimizing titles to include keywords definitely helps.

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   Aquaposted 14 years ago

   I would absolutely change the title if I thought it would help traffic. I've changed some of mine and never experienced any negative effects. Just be sure to study the keywords first so you can really optimize the new title.

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10. 62

    Daniel Carterposted 14 years ago

    I'm so glad I asked! I sometimes feel a little dumb because I'm so not a computer guy, really. But I can learn the ropes and figure it out.
    
    Thanks for all the great input. I'll change the title for sure.
    
    I've noticed that when I've tweaked things in past hubs, like key words, rewriting sentences to be more specific, that I have a spike in reads, so it would make sense to be fearless about a needed title change.
    
    Thanks all you groovy people. Much appreciated. Now stop working and go enjoy your Friday!
    
    

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       wyanjenposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       ditto
       ditto
       ditto
       ditto
       Thanks for asking this question Daniel, I'm with you here!
       Go on about your Friday too
       
       Jen

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11. 79

    bgpappaposted 14 years ago

    I do it on articles that are performing poorly.  It almost always helps.

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    ixwaposted 14 years ago

    Whenever I edit a hub, traffic rises. I did not have pictures on my hubs, I am slowly learning, and this changes the hub score and content. I have stuck with the topics I have used in the original composition, but added more concrete ideas, solidified syntax and context, and maybe at times tweak the sub-topics, and sometimes see traffic rise. Thanks to all of you with your other tips.

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13. 70

    wyanjenposted 14 years ago

    Ummm, guys?
    When you get back from enjoying your Friday (LOL)
    
    When you re-title your hub, do you then re-Digg it? Can you edit what you posted on Digg and StumbleUpon?

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14. 70

    wyanjenposted 14 years ago

    I can't find my hub listed where I had it backlinked since I changed the title.
    I was trying to edit the link info but the article isn't there.
    Should I just start over? I'm not sure if I did something wrong.
    

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       speaseposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       You should still be able to find it under the original title.

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          wyanjenposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          It's not to be found. I must have screwed up when I linked it the first time.
          NBD I'll just backtrack & check all of them.
          
          Thanks for your help everybody

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    speaseposted 14 years ago

    I have changed most of mine also.  If they are doing bad, I optimize them for more traffic.  Optimizing is the name of the game.

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16. 60

    lxxyposted 14 years ago

    I generally try to find an intriguing title for the article; generally speaking, coming from Google, it's the keywords (and the first paragraph) that gets indexed.
    
    So be creative and interesting, not so dry. I do change article titles at times, but the only person you may confuse is a fan getting an automatic mailing.
    
    I suppose you might get more hits if your title does include texts, but the tags are really what the Gods of Google (and other search engines) go for.

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    earnerposted 14 years ago

    I do it all the time.  I think the problem is we're so keen to get writing and yet the first thing we have to do is create the title.  It'd be better if you had the chance to skip the title, only needing the title/url to actually publish.
    
    I often have a great idea and just forge ahead, without any keyword research.  Then I find I run out of steam and in looking for inspiration I change the focus of what I am writing so the title and url end up different
    
    It's no biggie.  Everything's a learning curve.  I just enjoy the publishing... I love to hit that button, it's my buzz!

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    KCC Big Countryposted 14 years ago

    I started a thread about that very thing Earner back when I was fairly new.  I almost always have a better idea what hub should be named AFTER I'm finished with it, not before.  I hate that we have to chose a title first.  I think it should be the final step.  Back then, I was told not to worry about it since you can change the title anyways, but I would rather have the URL match the actual title....but....oh well.

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       Marisa Wrightposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       It's better to have the URL and the title different - that way you can cover two different ways of expressing your subject, which improves its chances of being found.

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          Paradise7posted 14 years agoin reply to this

          Oh, good thought!  Thanks!

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    AEvansposted 14 years ago

    I have changed mine and it can work miracles.

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    lostgirlscatposted 14 years ago

    Please someone help me figure out this keyword business. can you get suggestions relating to subject,what's the simplest way to do this ?

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       Paradise7posted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Here's a link for the Google AdSense keyword tool.  It works pretty well, and it's free.
       
       https://adwords.google.com/select/KeywordToolExternal
       
       It's pretty user-friendly, too, even I can figure out how to use it.

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