Since index pages are collections of pages, search engines and social media websites interact with them differently than other Squarespace pages.

SEO Optimization for Index Pages

To optimize your index page for search engines:

• Follow general SEO best practices with relevant keywords
• Optimize headings for search
• Add SEO descriptions and alternative social sharing images
• Consider setting index as homepage for search engine priority

Index Subpage Optimization

Both index and direct links for subpages can appear in search results. Add noindex tags to exclude subpages from search engines to avoid:

• Stacked Indexes: When visitors open subpage links from search results
• Special Formatting Issues: When template subpages include URL hashtags

Social Media Sharing Options

You can share:

1. Complete index page
2. Hotlink to specific index page section
3. Independent page (direct URL) for index subpage

Always use logged-out or incognito mode URLs for sharing.

Sharing Guidelines by Index Type

Grid and Slideshow:

• Use incognito mode
• Click desired page
• Copy and share URL

Stack:

• Set up index anchor link
• Share anchor link URL

Direct URL Sharing

To share independent pages:

1. Remove everything except domain name and page slug
2. Format: https://yoursite.com/page-slug
3. Remove # symbols if present
4. Remove index page slug if index isn't homepage

Example:

• Original: https://www.yoursite.com/index/#/pageone
• Sharing version: https://www.yoursite.com/pageone

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