[Mike]

In discussion with Matt Mecham of IPB about improving SEO, I pointed out an issue I didn't care to see.

If you select this particular forum from the forum index page, the URL is this - http://forum.ipbsetu...board-seo-tips/

You can see how Brandon is using the native IPB FURLs.

But if you scroll down and click Go on the forum jump menu, look at the URL now - http://forum.ipbsetup.com/index.php?

Suddenly, the FURL for this forum is appearing as something else, altogether.

Matt sent me a fix that takes mere seconds to apply.

Admin CP > Look & Feel > Select Style to Edit > Global Templates > forum_jump

Look the first line -

<form id='forum_jump' action='{parse url="" base="public"}' method='post'>

Change it to read -

<form id='forum_jump' action='{parse url="" base="public"}' method='get'>

Now when you use the forum jump menu to return to the forum page, you will see the same URL you saw coming in.

As a quick aside -

I've been saying all along that IPB is listening to us, but I've not been telling everything I knew. Matt had let on they were working with an SEO specialist to optimize the native IPB code even more. And now, I can openly talk about it, as it's been officially announced on the IPB forum blog - READ THIS BLOG

Maybe I was just not part of the right clique at vB, but I never had any of the vB coders asking me what I would like to see in upcoming releases. I never had any of the vB coders offer to hear me out and offer solutions to my issues. And I've owned vB licenses since February 2005. Yet here I am today, barely 60 days since purchasing IPB licenses and Matt wants to hear what I have to say? And he is also willing to extend help to me? As if he doesn't already have enough on his plate, he can still take time to hear this newbie out? Ladies and gentlemen, that is customer service that is rarely found in this day and age.

[Brandon]

Thx for that Mike, I hadn't noticed it.
I'll get it fixed on ipbsetup as soon as I can. (when I get home tonight hopefully)

and thanks for the blog link, I for one have been really impressed with IPB really wanting to know what we want.
We may be new to IPB, but I think Matt knows that we have some good knowledge about what make a good forum from our vbulletin background.

[Rocket 442]

Looks like great news. I'm sure it'll take a while to get it exactly where we all want it but the drive and direction is there. That is what I like to see.

[mrGTB]

Just want to ask something here, this same code you change is also there in the Low-Fi version as well. So I'm thinking you change it in both templates. The Default Template seen, and the Low-Fi one as well. Two changes?

[Mike]

MrGTB, yes, you make the change in all your styles.

Brandon, I agree with you about how IPB is hearing us. When I was with vB, I heard from them once each year. They would send me the license renewal notice and that was it. I communicate with Matt Mecham 3-4 times each week. To vB, I was four renewal fees. IPB is making me feel like a customer with a valid opinion. Talk about culture shock!

[Brandon]

there is an update to the SEO blog post you linked to
IPB 3.1: Search Engine Optimization Part Deux