Understanding the Difference Between Websites with www and Non-www URLs
When browsing the internet, it’s common to encounter the same website accessible through different URL formats. A frequent question among users and web administrators alike is: Does accessing a website with “www” versus without it lead to the same site, or are they considered different entities?
Case Example: Investigating ‘Have I Been Pwned’
Consider a scenario where a user searches for “have I been pwned” on Google. Depending on the search query or how the search engine displays the results, two URLs might appear: one beginning with “https://haveibeenpwned.com” and another with “https://www.haveibeenpwned.com”. Both URLs seem to point to the same website, and both use HTTPS, indicating a secure connection.
Are Both URLs the Same or Different Websites?
In most cases, the answer is that both URLs lead to the same website. The difference between including “www” or omitting it is primarily a matter of URL convention rather than a difference in hosting or content. Web servers are typically configured to recognize both versions and serve the same content, ensuring a seamless experience for users regardless of which URL they enter.
Technical Explanation
The distinction between “www” and non-“www” URLs is rooted in DNS (Domain Name System) configurations and server settings:
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DNS Records: Typically, both “www” and the root domain (without “www”) are configured to point to the same server IP address.
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Server Configuration: Web servers are set up to handle requests for both versions and serve identical content, often through redirects or by serving the same site directly.
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Redirection Practices: Many websites implement redirects from one version to the other for consistency, SEO benefits, and to avoid duplicate content issues. For example, visiting “http://example.com” might automatically redirect to “https://www.example.com” or vice versa.
Implications for SEO and Site Management
From an SEO perspective, it’s recommended to choose a preferred version—either with or without “www”—and implement redirects to funnel all traffic to a single, canonical URL. This helps improve search engine rankings and prevents duplicate content concerns.
Conclusion
In summary, having both “www” and non-“www” versions of a website does not imply they are different websites. They are typically configurations of the same domain, designed to be interchangeable through server settings and DNS
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