[RFC] Hide forum (f) variable from topic url

[Sumanai]

Otherwise you get duplicate pages again, because the old links will still work

Duplicates will not, as search engines do indexing pages with new canonical url.
In the current situation, the search engines will index each page twice, the first time with the parameter f =, as almost all the links to the forum include this option in the second visit without the canonical version. The double burden.

[Dragosvr92]

I'd like to see this implemented. It annoyed me to see Announce and Global topics assigned to all forums.... Having the loads of different links for the same topic.

[nickvergessen]

I'd like to see this implemented. It annoyed me to see Announce and Global topics assigned to all forums.... Having the loads of different links for the same topic.

This is solved by canonical links we implemented with another PR

[bobby124]

Ok, is there someone who ask to resolve the issue of ghost user without f parameter for phpbb 3.2?
And how remove f parameter from code?
Thanks in advance.

[bobby124]

Nobody?

[jsebean]

Perhaps it was necessary for the quick-mod tools or something.

Regardless, if it's no longer needed in 3.1, then we should think about removing it (assuming most will agree).

Well I agree.

Like the motto goes, "No need to make URLS too complex"... or did I just make that up

[Louis7777]

Ok, is there someone who ask to resolve the issue of ghost user without f parameter for phpbb 3.2?
And how remove f parameter from code?
Thanks in advance.

No, the issue will be there, as long as we get the f from the URL.

yes, 1 additional query on the most loaded page of phpbb for each page call, instead of adding simple 4 characters to some urls

Shall we discuss any possible optimizations for viewtopic? To reduce the overall queries and make room for more.

[JAiAk]

Perhaps phpBB phpBB 3.2 or 4.0 this change ? Because SEO is one of the things that can be decided by a bulletin board or other

[RMcGirr83]

SEO is overrated. Content is king these days.

[Louis7777]

SEO is overrated. Content is king these days.

Yeah, although this isn't just about SEO.

The URL will be easier for a guest user to understand without the f, since the entire focus would be on the t parameter. Having just the text "viewtopic" and e.g. "t=1234" would make sense, like on YouTube where "watch" and "v=1234" means that you're watching the video with an id "1234".

Also, there's the "ghost user" bug that was previously mentioned and imo it should be dealt with.