I Don't Understand How to use the URL Removal Tool

1. 91

   Jean Bakulaposted 11 years ago

   I have a hub which keeps ending up pending although I keep changing it, so am deleting it. I went to a link https://www.google.com/webmasters/tools/removal?h, but don't see how to use it. It wouldn't let me put the title of the soon to be deleted hub in it. What am I doing wrong? Thanks.

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   1. 71

      Matthew Meyerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      If you are unpublishing or deleting a Hub, you do not need to delete anything from webmaster tools.
      What are you trying to accomplish?

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      Hollie Thomasposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Jean, if you want to move the hub and therefore have it removed from Google. Go to the removal tool and click on the link in the upper left hand corner where it says "request removal" then, just copy and paste the URL of the hub you wish to remove. They are normally removed within 24 hours.

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   3. 86

      Marisa Wrightposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Jean, I know some people do that but I don't bother.
      
      Just unpublish it, and let it sit there for a month before trying to republish it elsewhere.   I find I have plenty of other things to do in the meantime!

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      1. 91

         Jean Bakulaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Thanks Marisa! This particular piece has always been a thorn in my side, it's about trying to understand Zen. I wrote it while trying to understand Zen myself. I think it's OK, but it's been in the "Pending" status a few times. It will be OK to just leave it alone after deleting if I try to publish it a month or so from now? That's good then. Take care.

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         1. 86

            Marisa Wrightposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            It's up to you.  I'm naturally lazy, I guess, and just prefer to let them disappear naturally (which they always do, in the end). 
            
            However do check that it hasn't been stolen anywhere too.

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      mistyhorizon2003posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Sounds like you didn't 'unpublish' the hub before trying to use the Google URL removal tool to deindex it. For the URL Removal Tool to work (which removes all traces of the URL online within 24 hours) it has to find a 404 'Not Found' when it tries to check the URL you have entered in the removal form. If you make sure your hub is unpublished first the process is easy and I have entered 10+ URL's into the tool within about 5 minutes. Check the same time the next day on the removals page and it will confirm they have been removed, therefore leaving you free to re-publish the content on another site such as Squidoo, Xobba etc without fear of duplication flags popping up (much quicker than waiting for them to de-index naturally).

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      1. 91

         Jean Bakulaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Thanks, Misty.

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         Nurseyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         You do make it hard for yourself, sweetie. Why on Earth should anyone go to all that trouble when Marisa's way is obviously so very much easier? ♡ ♡ ♡

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   5. 59

      Mark Painterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      There's nothing wrong with "pending".  It just means your latest change hasn't been evaluated, yet.   I think you should let the Hub sit for a while.

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      1. 91

         Jean Bakulaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Hi Mark,
         This hub has been in Pending before, I think it's the 3rd time. I changed the title once too, although I believe that never changes from your original one? It has to go, I want to rewrite it. I think it's a pretty good piece, it may just need an edit so it's shorter. I'd rather publish it somewhere else. I've had pending stuff before, and they stayed good after a few slight changes, but I'm sick of changing this one. It's better off on another site. Thanks for the help everyone!

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            Jean Bakulaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            Hi Nursey,
            I know I make it hard on myself, it must be something in my karma . It seems I never do anything the easy way. But I have deleted a few hubs that did not get many views, and then had trouble when I tried to post them on another site. I worked pretty hard to rewrite this piece, and think it's worth posting on another site, so don't want any trouble when I do. I know we can just change them up a bit and they get out of pending status, but this one has been a thorn in my side for a time now. I appreciate all the helpful comments from you and everyone.

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   Hollie Thomasposted 11 years ago

   Jean, here is the removal request page.
   
   https://www.google.com/webmasters/tools/removals

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   1. 91

      Jean Bakulaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for your help Hollie. I had this piece hanging around for a long time, under two different names. It looks like I'll be rid of it soon. I like the piece and would like to try a rewrite someplace else. I think I was successful!

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   technicheposted 11 years ago

   Just unpublish it . Google will automatically remove the url after getting 404. Google is much more intelligent system

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      mistyhorizon2003posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Google will eventually remove it when they get the 404, but that can take weeks. The URL removal tool is a Google service designed to speed up the process to about 24 hours.

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      1. 91

         Jean Bakulaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Hi Misty,
         I managed to do it. The piece is off and I don't see it on Google anywhere. I successfully posted a rewritten version on another site. The tool worked fast. Thanks for your help. Take care.

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            mistyhorizon2003posted 11 years agoin reply to this

            Glad it did the trick Jean

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