Why do I see ?srsltid= after my URLs for keyword rankings?
When Google adds the parameter ?srsltid= to URLs in organic search results, it is part of a newer feature called the "Search Result State Identifier" (srsltid). This parameter is used to track specific sessions or contexts of user interaction with search results, with a particular focus on optimizing experience and tracking related to:
Click tracking and user behavior
?srsltid= can help Google identify click patterns and how users interact with search results. This provides Google with data to improve the personalization of search results and assess the relevance of the results.
Session tracking for third-party content
In some cases, this parameter can assist third-party tools or platforms in tracking the context from which the user originates (e.g., when specific features require this information).
Reduction of bots and unwanted behavior
Google uses parameters like this to protect search results from misuse, including scraping. srsltid can contribute to this by making URLs unique and harder to track using simple bots.
Experiments and A/B tests in search results
Google continuously runs experiments with search results, and the parameter can be used to segment users participating in different test groups.
No impact on rankings: The srsltid parameter does not affect your rankings in search results or the performance of your landing pages.
Indexing: Google generally indexes URLs without this parameter if your site correctly implements canonical tags and avoids displaying duplicate content.
Tracking: If you use tools like Google Analytics, this parameter can affect your reports if not properly filtered, potentially fragmenting your campaign or source data.
Canonical tags
Ensure that your landing page has the correct canonical tag so Google knows which version of the URL to prioritize in indexing.
Filtering in Analytics
Set up filters in your Google Analytics to exclude the srsltid parameter from URLs, ensuring your data is not cluttered with unnecessary variations.
Avoid unnecessary reliance on URL parameters
Check if your internal links or sharing strategies inadvertently use these parameters. Always share "clean" URLs.
Understand tools
When Morningscore displays these parameters as part of ranking data, it reflects the exact URL that is indexed and shown in search results — with or without parameters.
Click tracking and user behavior
?srsltid= can help Google identify click patterns and how users interact with search results. This provides Google with data to improve the personalization of search results and assess the relevance of the results.
Session tracking for third-party content
In some cases, this parameter can assist third-party tools or platforms in tracking the context from which the user originates (e.g., when specific features require this information).
Reduction of bots and unwanted behavior
Google uses parameters like this to protect search results from misuse, including scraping. srsltid can contribute to this by making URLs unique and harder to track using simple bots.
Experiments and A/B tests in search results
Google continuously runs experiments with search results, and the parameter can be used to segment users participating in different test groups.
Does it affect SEO and organic results?
No impact on rankings: The srsltid parameter does not affect your rankings in search results or the performance of your landing pages.
Indexing: Google generally indexes URLs without this parameter if your site correctly implements canonical tags and avoids displaying duplicate content.
Tracking: If you use tools like Google Analytics, this parameter can affect your reports if not properly filtered, potentially fragmenting your campaign or source data.
How to handle it?
Canonical tags
Ensure that your landing page has the correct canonical tag so Google knows which version of the URL to prioritize in indexing.
Filtering in Analytics
Set up filters in your Google Analytics to exclude the srsltid parameter from URLs, ensuring your data is not cluttered with unnecessary variations.
Avoid unnecessary reliance on URL parameters
Check if your internal links or sharing strategies inadvertently use these parameters. Always share "clean" URLs.
Understand tools
When Morningscore displays these parameters as part of ranking data, it reflects the exact URL that is indexed and shown in search results — with or without parameters.
Updated on: 18/12/2024