Resolving Redundant Hostnames Notification in Google Analytics

Google Analytics has become an indispensable tool for webmasters and SEO experts alike for tracking website traffic and performance. However, it's not uncommon for webmasters to receive notifications from Google Analytics that may indicate issues on their website. One such issue is the 'Redundant Hostnames' warning, which, when ignored, can lead to potential SEO risks. In this article, we will explore what it means, why it's important to address, and how to resolve it.

Understanding the 'Redundant Hostnames' Notification

Google Analytics has introduced a new notification, 'Redundant Hostnames,' due to a change that began in 2014. This notification appears when your domain is receiving data from redundant hostnames. These hostnames are recorded as separate rows in your reports, even if they lead to the same URL. As a result, your website data becomes fragmented rather than unified.

The main concern with redundant hostnames is that search engines might treat these different hostnames as separate domains. This could be interpreted as duplicate content, leading to potential penalties and a decrease in your website's SEO performance. Therefore, resolving this issue is crucial for maintaining the integrity of your website's analytics and SEO strategy.

Steps to Resolve Redundant Hostnames Issue

To address the 'Redundant Hostnames' warning, you need to ensure that all hostnames lead to a single domain. This can be achieved by setting up redirects on your server. The most common method involves modifying the .htaccess file in your website's root directory.

Step-by-Step Guide to Fixing Redundant Hostnames

Access cPanel and File Manager: Begin by logging into your hosting provider's cPanel. Then, navigate to the File Manager section.

Locate the .htaccess File: Within the File Manager, find and navigate to the public_html folder. The .htaccess file is a hidden file, so you may need to unhide it to view. Click on the 'Unhide' button if prompted.

Edit the .htaccess File: Right-click on the .htaccess file and select 'Edit.' If you are using Go Daddy's cPanel, you can typically edit files directly in this interface.

Add the Redirect Code: Assuming you have already installed WordPress, your .htaccess file should already contain the following lines in the 'BEGIN WordPress' section. Below that, add the following code:

# BEGIN Redundant Hostname RedirectRewriteEngine OnRewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} !^$ [NC]RewriteRule ^(.*)$ $1 [L,R301]

In the above code, replace '' with your actual domain name.

Save the .htaccess File: After adding the code, save the file and check if the website is correctly redirecting any non-www traffic to your desired hostname.

Verify in Google Analytics: Once the redirection is set up, go back to Google Analytics. Click on the 'Redundant Hostnames' warning and then click on 'Verify.' This should confirm that your website is now receiving data from a single hostname, resolving the issue.

Conclusion

Resolving the 'Redundant Hostnames' warning in Google Analytics is essential for maintaining a comprehensive and accurate view of your website's performance. By ensuring that all hostnames redirect to a single domain, you can avoid potential SEO issues and improve your website's overall visibility in search engine results. Follow the steps outlined in this article to set up redirections and verify that the issue is resolved.