No Www
No www means using the root domain without the www prefix, such as example.com instead of www.example.com.
Start here
- Choose one version (www or no www) and stick with it.
- Set up a 301 redirect from the non-preferred version.
- Update internal links, sitemaps, and canonicals to match.
- Check both versions in a browser and with a redirect checker.
- Monitor Search Console for duplicate content issues.
I used to think www was just old internet baggage. Turns out, the real mistake is letting both versions live.
What I'd do first
- Pick one version: www or no www. It doesn't matter which — just decide.
- Set up a 301 redirect from the other version to your chosen one.
- Update all internal links, sitemaps, and canonical tags to use the preferred version.
- Check that both versions don't resolve independently (use a redirect checker).
- Monitor Search Console for any remaining duplicate URL issues.
Plain-English take
No www is just your domain without the "www" in front — like example.com instead of www.example.com. For SEO, the choice between www and no www is like picking a front door. Either works fine, but if you have two doors open, people (and search engines) get confused. Google treats example.com and www.example.com as separate URLs unless you tell it otherwise. That means backlinks, engagement signals, and crawl activity can split between them. The fix is simple: pick one, redirect the other, and use it everywhere.
When it actually matters
- Launching a new site: Set your preferred version from day one to avoid cleanup later.
- After a migration or redesign: Double-check redirects if you changed your domain structure.
- If you see duplicate content warnings in Search Console: Both versions might be indexed.
- When building backlinks: Make sure all external links point to your chosen version.
- For large sites with CDNs or cookies: www can sometimes make cookie scoping or CDN config easier, but it's not a ranking factor.
What I got wrong
- I assumed www was outdated and no www was always better. Neither is a ranking factor.
- I once let both versions resolve without a redirect for months. Split my backlinks and had to clean up duplicate pages.
- I thought canonical tags alone were enough. They help, but 301 redirects are stronger for consolidation.
- I changed my preferred version mid-stream without updating all internal links and sitemaps. Messy.
- I forgot to check the redirect on my own site after a server move. The www version broke entirely.
Next step
Quick answers
What does no www mean?
No www means using the root domain without the www prefix, such as example.com instead of www.example.com. It is also called the naked or root domain.
Is www or no www better for SEO?
Neither is inherently better for SEO. The key is to choose one version and consistently use it with proper redirects and canonical tags to avoid duplicate content issues.
How do I redirect www to no www?
You can set up a 301 redirect from the www version to the non-www version in your server configuration (e.g.,.htaccess for Apache, nginx config, or via your CMS).
Why do some websites not work with www?
If a site is configured to only respond to the non-www version, the www version may not resolve or may show an error. This is usually due to missing DNS records or server configuration.
Sources
Primary documentation is linked directly. Anything commercial is marked nofollow.
- Google Search Central — Explains consolidating duplicate URLs with canonicalization and redirects.
- MDN Web Docs — Clear technical explanation of choosing a canonical www or non-www version and using 301 redirects.
- Google Search Central — Official guidance on canonicalization and how search engines interpret preferred URLs.
Notes from Callum Bennett.