Tag: seo friendly url

How to create an SEO-friendly URL: Ultimate tips

Random, long URLs cluttered with random characters don’t just look unappealing; they harm your SEO. Optimizing URLs is one of the most underrated yet effective ways to enhance both user experience and search engine visibility. With over 8.3 billion searches conducted on Google daily, it’s vital to get your URLs right.

Here’s your ultimate guide to creating an SEO-friendly URL that ensures your website ranks higher and attracts quality traffic.

What is an SEO-friendly URL?

An SEO-friendly URL is a web address structured to be easily understood by both users and search engines. These URLs give clear indications of a webpage’s content, improving its chances of appearing higher in search results.

Characteristics of an SEO-friendly URL include:

Relevance: Reflects the content of the page with appropriate keywords.
Readability: Avoids special characters or excessive parameters, making the URL user-friendly.
Structure: Follows a logical hierarchy to aid navigation.
Length: Short and concise, helping users remember and share easily.
Hyphens over underscores: Hyphens improve readability for both users and search engines.

For example:

Good:

Bad:

Why SEO-friendly URLs matter?

Your URL is more than a link. It’s a sneak peek into your content! A clear, SEO-friendly URL boosts rankings, earns clicks, and builds trust. Here’s why they matter:

Boosts search rankings: Search engines prioritize clear, keyword-rich URLs, improving your page’s visibility.
Improves click-through rates: Descriptive URLs like exampledotcom/best-coffee-recipes attract more clicks than generic ones like exampledotcom/page123.
Enhances user trust: Clean, readable URLs instantly inform users about your content, building credibility.
Optimizes link sharing: Short, simple URLs are easier to share on social media and other platforms.
Simplifies site navigation: Logical URL structures make it easier for users and crawlers to explore your website.
Supports long-term SEO strategy: Organized URLs help avoid broken links and simplify future updates.

Best practices for creating SEO-friendly URLs

By following best practices for creating SEO-friendly URLs, you can craft URLs that search engines love, and users find easy to navigate. But where do you begin? Let’s break it down:

Do’s	Don’ts
Use descriptive keywords: Include primary keywords relevant to the content.	Avoid keyword stuffing: Repeating the same keyword excessively.
Keep it short and simple: Aim for concise and easy-to-read URLs.	Avoid long URLs: Don’t include unnecessary words or parameters.
Use hyphens to separate words: Makes URLs more readable for both users and search engines.	Avoid underscores or spaces: These can confuse search engines and users.
Ensure URL structure matches site hierarchy: Helps users navigate easily.	Avoid complex structures: URLs with excessive parameters or IDs are harder to read and rank lower.
Use lowercase letters: Prevents duplicate content issues.	Avoid mixed-case URLs: Can create confusion and potential errors.
Make it evergreen: Use URLs that remain relevant even as content updates.	Avoid dates in URLs: Limits the perceived freshness of content.
Optimize for mobile users: Ensure URLs are user-friendly on mobile devices.	Avoid unintuitive URLs: Random strings of letters and numbers are off-putting.
Use secure URLs: Always use HTTPS to build trust and boost rankings.	Avoid HTTP: Non-secure links can harm rankings and trust.
Test URLs regularly: Ensure they lead to the correct pages and load properly.	Avoid broken links: Damages SEO and user experience.
Incorporate branding when possible: Branded URLs boost recognition.	Avoid generic URLs: URLs like “page1.html” lack context.

Here’s a detailed breakdown:

1. Optimize the URL slugs

The slug is the part of the URL after the domain name, such as:

Keep it relevant and descriptive, signaling the content of the webpage.

Avoid: Random characters, special symbols, and numbers that don’t contribute to clarity.
Tip: If you’re updating content, avoid changing the slug unless necessary to retain backlinks and traffic.

2. Choose a top-level domain (TLD)

Your domain extension (e.g., .com, .edu, .net) influences user trust. While TLDs don’t directly impact SEO, .com is widely recognized and preferred by users, creating a sense of reliability.

3. Keep the URL short

Short URLs perform better on search engines and are easier to remember and share.

Pro tip: Aim for a URL length of fewer than 66 characters. While Google doesn’t penalize long URLs, shorter URLs contribute to a better user experience and higher click-through rates.

4. Avoid using the full blog title as the URL

Avoid using blog titles as your URL because they can take unnecessary characters. Long blog titles result in long URLs. Optimize your URL by choosing a relevant focus keyword related to that web page. The aim should be to create descriptive URLs so the user is not confused about the content.

Boost ROI with
branded URLs!

Enhance your marketing campaigns by creating shareable, trackable, and fully multi-purpose customizable branded URLs.

Try Replug for free

5. Remove punctuation

Punctuation can complicate URLs, making them harder to remember. By eliminating punctuation, you create clean, user-friendly URLs that are easy for both visitors and search engines to interpret.

8. Incorporate a primary keyword

Including a relevant primary keyword in your URL contributes to improved SEO. This practice reinforces the topic of your page, making it more likely to match search queries and rank higher in search engine results. For instance, if you’re offering SEO services in a specific region, using a URL that emphasizes “SEO in Austin” helps signal both the service and location to search engines. This strategy not only boosts your ranking for local searches but also attracts users specifically looking for SEO in Austin.

Advanced strategies for crafting SEO-friendly URLs

1. Use lowercase letters

Some servers treat uppercase and lowercase URLs differently, potentially causing duplicate content issues. Stick to lowercase to avoid complications.

However, WordPress users should not worry, as it automatically puts URLs in lowercase and adds hyphens.

2. Use hyphens, not underscores

Google treats hyphens as spaces, making it easier to interpret your content. Underscores, however, can obscure your meaning. For instance:

Good: seo-friendly-url
Bad: seo_friendly_url

Using hyphens makes it easy for Google’s web crawlers to understand and estimate the information on your website, aiding you in generating steady results.

3. Incorporate keywords strategically

Keywords in URLs can boost SEO and enhance user understanding. However, avoid keyword stuffing. 1-2 keywords are enough. Never repeat a keyword in a URL. Google will never reward you if you use repetitive keywords in a URL more than once. For example:

Good:

Bad:

4. Minimize subfolders:

Keep URLs short and straightforward by minimizing subfolders. This practice improves readability and user experience, as excessively nested subfolders can make navigation complex for visitors and search engines.

5. Use canonical tags for duplicate content

If the same content exists on multiple URLs, canonical tags tell search engines which version is the original. This prevents issues with duplicate content and ensures proper indexing. Look at the below example of how canonical tags work:

Source: wwwseobilitynet

6. Prefer static over dynamic URLs

Static URLs are simpler, easier to read, and more SEO-friendly. Dynamic URLs are less SEO friendly, append UTM parameters, and are complex to understand the URL structure.

Using a URL shortener gives you more control over your URL links through the power of customization and tracking.

7. Handle redirects thoughtfully

Minimizing redirects improves site speed and user experience. While redirects are sometimes necessary, excessive use can lead to issues with search engine crawlers. When needed, opt for 301 redirects for better SEO results.

8. Futureproof URLs

Avoid incorporating dates in URLs to prevent content from becoming outdated. Futureproofing URLs by excluding time-sensitive information allows for content updates without impacting the URL structure.

Enhancing user experience with SEO-friendly URLs

1. Hide “www” and HTTPS prefixes

Modern browsers already indicate secure connections with a lock icon, so hiding prefixes like www or https can streamline your URLs. For instance:

2. Create sub-domains when necessary

Sub-domains can help organize content for specific markets or purposes; however, use them sparingly to avoid diluting your website’s authority. Sub-domains improve navigation and organize your website.

The end goal of SEO is to improve user experience, and sub-domains just do that.

3. Eliminate stop words

Words like “the,” “is,” or “of” are often unnecessary in URLs. Removing them reduces URL length while retaining clarity. For example:

Before:

After:

Why SEO-friendly URLs matter

A well-crafted URL isn’t just about aesthetics but functionality and results. By following these tips, you’ll create URLs that:

Enhance user experience.
Improve search engine rankings.
Increase click-through rates and traffic.

Take a moment to review your website’s URLs today. With a few strategic changes, you can transform your web addresses into powerful tools for SEO success!

Unlock SEO success with Replug: Your ultimate URL optimization tool

Elevate your website’s SEO game with Replug, a powerful link management platform that simplifies the creation of SEO-friendly URLs.

Customize your URLs with unique page identifiers, providing clarity for both web crawlers and site visitors. Replug’s user-friendly interface makes the entire process seamless, ensuring your URLs are finely tuned for optimal search engine performance.

Sign up for a Replug account today to streamline your URL optimization, boost your SEO rankings, and propel your website to new heights!

A complete link management solution
for marketing professionals & agencies. Try Replug for free

FAQs about how to create an SEO-friendly URL

What is a URL?

A URL, or Uniform Resource Locator, is the web address that specifies the location of a resource on the internet. It serves as the entry point to access specific content on a website.

What is an SEO-friendly URL?

SEO-friendly URLs are web addresses optimized to enhance a website’s visibility and ranking on search engines.

How do I match URLs with page titles for SEO?

Ensure that your URL structure corresponds with the content of your webpage. This alignment enhances search engine crawlers’ effectiveness and reinforces your content’s relevance to users.

How to use keywords effectively in URLs for SEO?

Use relevant keywords in your URLs that reflect the content of your webpage. Strategically including primary keywords can enhance the optimization of your URL for search engines.

December 10, 2024

The importance of choosing the right URL slug for SEO success
Crafting friendly URLs holds utmost importance, as they significantly impact a website’s search engine ranking and overall user experience.

Whether you are a seasoned developer or a beginner, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and best practices to master the art of creating effective and user-friendly URL slugs.

What is a URL?

URL stands for Uniform Resource Locator, which is a web address used to identify and locate resources on the internet. It consists of several components, including the protocol (e.g., “http” or “https”), the domain name (e.g., “example.com” or “example.io”), and the slug (e.g., “keyword”) that identifies a specific resource on the website.
- URL: https://contentstudio.io/social-media-management
- URL slug: /social-media-management
Source: SEO Sherpa

What is a URL slug?

The portion of a URL that follows the domain name and any subdirectories is known as the URL slug. It is a human-readable and user-friendly text used to designate a particular web page. Keywords associated with the page’s content are frequently used in URL slugs, which makes them more descriptive and simple to remember.

Related: The Art of Creating Unique URLs

Why are URL slugs important for SEO?

URL slugs are vital for SEO. They provide a concise, descriptive, and user-friendly representation of a webpage’s content. This helps search engines and visitors easily understand your pages.

Moreover, including relevant keywords in the slug enhances search engine visibility and improves the user experience by allowing visitors to understand what the page is about before clicking. Well-crafted slugs also contribute to better indexing, readability, and shareability. This further increases the likelihood of attracting organic traffic and earning valuable backlinks from other websites.

Tips for writing SEO-friendly URL slugs

People often think URL slugs are a minor SEO element, but that’s not true. URL Slugs can significantly impact your website’s performance in search engine rankings and user engagement. Creating SEO-friendly URL slugs involves careful consideration of keywords, readability, and user experience. Below are some key actionable tips to help you optimize your URL slugs effectively.

1. Include your keyword in the URL slug

The very first item that comes to mind when discussing SEO is the keyword. In addition to the content, you must include your primary keyword in your URL slugs as well. Slugs are used by search engines to understand the context of your page content. As far as users are concerned, looking at the URL makes it easier for them to identify relevant content.

For example, if your focus keyword is ‘AI Tools for Social Media’, you need to incorporate these keywords in your URL slug, just like ConetntStudio did.

2. Keep them short yet informative

Try to keep your URL slugs short and informative if you want to make them appealing to both users and search engines. Imagine you run a website dedicated to a content curation tool. Instead of having lengthy URL slugs like:

“/ultimate-tool-for-content-curation-that-maintains-publishing-flow389”

Consider using a more compact and descriptive URL slug:

“https://contentstudio.io/content-curation.”

This shorter version conveys the essence of the page’s content while being more user and SEO-friendly.

All that you need to keep in mind is that users are more likely to click on links with concise and relevant URLs, as they can quickly grasp the page’s content before visiting it. Moreover, shareability improves when URLs are shorter, making it easier for people to share your content on other platforms.

3. Use hyphens, not underscores, to separate words

Prioritize the use of hyphens instead of underscores. Hyphens serve as clear word separators that enhance the visual appeal and readability of your URLs. Search engines recognize hyphens as natural dividers between words. This enables them to interpret the content more accurately.

Consider the following two URL slugs:
1. “/write-SEO-content-that-ranks/” (with hyphens)
2. “/write_seo_content_that_ranks/” (with underscores)
Visibly, the first version presents a tidy and simple URL that users and search engines can process without difficulty. The second version with underscores, on the other hand, seems cluttered and less user-friendly.

4. Make them lowercase

To ensure consistency and avoid problems with duplicate content, always use lowercase letters. Instead of something like “What-Are-Ctas-In-Marketing,” “what-are-ctas-in-marketing” is preferred. URLs are handled case-sensitively by search engines.

This means that “what-are-ctas-in-marketing” and “What-Are-Ctas-In-Marketing” are treated as two separate URLs. This might result in issues with duplicate content and weaken your website’s SEO efforts. Moreover, mixed-case URLs can make it more difficult for users to remember or share them correctly.

5. Keep it evergreen

Use content that will remain relevant and valuable over time when creating URL slugs. More precisely, avoid incorporating time-sensitive details such as specific years or dates in your URL slugs.

❌

✅

Evergreen slugs help improve SEO results because search engines value content that holds its value over an extended period. You can prevent potential broken links and maintain the SEO authority that has developed over time by getting rid of time-sensitive elements from your slugs. This eliminates the need to update URLs with each passing year.

6. Use 1 domain and 1 subdomain

Maintain a clean URL structure by sticking to one primary domain and a minimal number of subdomains. This approach consolidates your website’s authority and prevents content fragmentation. Opt for “blog.example.com” instead of “example.com/blog.”

Moreover, a consolidated URL structure simplifies your website’s maintenance and improves link equity distribution. You avoid the risk of diluting SEO authority across multiple subdomains, ensuring that your primary domain gains maximum value from incoming links.

Source: SEO Sherpa

You can use subfolders instead of subdomains. Subfolders within the main domain consolidate link equity, making the website more authoritative and easier to rank. Many case studies have shown significant traffic increases when moving content from subdomains to subfolders.

Source: Andy Chadwick’s Twitter account (X) Tweet

Source: Stephen Kenw Chadwick’s Twitter account (X) tweet

7. Update old slugs but be careful

Always make sure the right redirects are set up when changing a slug to prevent broken links and maintain the SEO authority from the previous URL.

Because sudden changes can result in broken links and have a negative effect on user experience and search engine rankings, managing URL changes requires careful planning. You can smoothly direct users and search engines to the new URL while transferring the SEO value accrued by the old slug by implementing 301 redirects.

Your website will continue to be user-friendly and search engine optimized if outdated slugs are strategically updated. Furthermore, it aids in maintaining backlinks and search engine rankings while ensuring a steady flow of organic traffic to your updated content.

8. Match slugs to headlines

To further emphasize the relevance of your content, you must ensure that your URL slugs and page headlines are consistent. Both users and search engines will have an easier time understanding the purpose of your page if you align both elements.

This practice assists search engines in associating your content’s main topic with the URL, potentially improving your website’s ranking for relevant search queries. Additionally, users are more likely to click on links that display a clear correlation between the headline and URL, enhancing their browsing experience.

9. Use fewer page categories

Keep your URL slug structure simple by keeping the number of categories to a minimum and avoid keyword stuffing. Slugs that are clear and uncomplicated make it simpler for users to navigate your website and for search engines to comprehend your content.

Let’s take a look at a social media analytics tool web page. Rather than using a long and confusing URL, they chose a short and descriptive URL slug:

This direct method keeps things crystal clear.

10. Opt for HTTP protocol

Secure your website using HTTPS instead of HTTP because search engines prefer secure sites. HTTPS encrypts data exchanged between users and your website. In other words, it allows you to protect sensitive information from potential online threats.

This added layer of security instills confidence in your visitors and encourages them to engage with your content or even make transactions without fear of data breaches. It’s the padlock icon in their browser’s address bar that makes them believe that their connection is secure. This builds their trust in your brand, leading to increased user engagement, longer browsing sessions, and conversions.

Related: What Does HTTP 302 Code Means?

11. Choose a radio domain name

Find a memorable domain name and pair it with a relevant URL slug. By doing this, you can enhance your band’s recognition and reinforce your website’s theme.

The combination in the picture above exemplifies how a cohesive URL structure can align with your brand’s identity.

When users encounter a radio domain name that resonates with their interests, such as “contentstudio.io,” they are more likely to remember and revisit your website. This instant recall plays a significant role in building a loyal audience base.

Adding a relevant URL slug like “/content-marketing” further enhances user engagement. It communicates the content focus, guiding visitors to the specific section they are interested in. This targeted approach saves users time and effort, fostering a positive user experience.

6 major mistakes to avoid while creating URL Slugs

As discussed before, URL slugs play an important role in enhancing your website’s SEO and user experience. However, there are common mistakes that can impact your website’s performance and rankings. Below are six major mistakes that you need to avoid when crafting URL slugs for your web pages.

1. Avoid stop words

Common words like “and,” “the,” “of,” “a”, etc. are stop words and they add very little to the meaning of a URL. Avoid using them in your slugs because doing so will lengthen them and make them less readable. For example:

Wrong: “/schedule-content-to-linkedIn-like-a-pro” ❌

Correct: “/linkedin-scheduler” ✅

2. Avoid using dates in slugs

The use of specific dates in URL slugs can result in out-of-date content and affect SEO. Rather than

“/product-launch-2023,”

use

“/latest-product-launch”

or

“/new-product-release.”

In this manner, you can avoid updating your URLs annually and ensure their continued relevance.

The biggest issue is that when you need to change the date from 2023 to 2024, you need to change the slug and redirect the old URL to the new one. This process can be time-consuming and may lead to broken links if not handled correctly.

Moreover, these URL redirects can be suboptimal. They may result in less link juice passing through to the destination URLs. This means that the SEO value of your old URL might not fully transfer to the new one. By leaving out numbers and using descriptive slugs, you avoid the need for frequent redirects and maintain a consistent flow of link equity to your content.

3. Avoid using special characters

Including special characters like question marks, exclamation marks, or dollar signs can cause issues with URL encoding in your slugs. Certain characters are replaced with encoded strings, making the URL less readable. Furthermore, some special characters may not be universally supported by all browsers and platforms, potentially causing compatibility issues for some users.

You can use hyphens to separate words in your slugs. Hyphens are considered word separators, providing better readability for search engines and users alike. Hyphen-separated slugs contribute to a cleaner and more professional appearance for your URLs.

4. Avoid trailing slash issues

Adding a trailing slash at the end of a URL can inadvertently create duplicate content problems for your website. Confusion and a negative effect on SEO may result from search engines treating URLs with and without the trailing slash as separate pages. Maintaining consistency in your URL structure is essential for mitigating this problem.

You can guarantee that users and search engines always access the preferred version of your content by consistently using one format for your URLs and implementing the appropriate redirects.

Example:

Wrong: “/ai-social-caption-generator/” ❌

Correct: “/ai-social-caption-generator” ✅

5. Avoid broken links after making any changes

Making changes to your URL structure or slugs is a common practice, but it’s critical to handle these changes carefully to avoid broken links and maintain a consistent user experience. Setting up 301 redirects from the old URLs to the new ones is essential when changing a URL.

Users who are trying to access your content may become frustrated if you neglect to implement proper redirects. Broken links not only have a bad effect on the user experience, but they also give the wrong impression to search engines, which could lower the ranking of your website.

6. Avoid ranking cannibalization

Ranking cannibalization is a phenomenon where multiple pages on your website vie for the same keyword. As a result, there is internal competition in the search results. Concentrate on making sure that each URL slug targets a different and specific keyword or topic to prevent ranking cannibalization. Conduct keyword research and use different variations for each page.

You can improve each page’s content’s clarity and relevance in the eyes of search engines by allocating unique URL slugs to particular keywords or topics. This enables search algorithms to better understand the purpose and intent of your pages, leading to improved rankings for relevant search queries.

How to optimize URL slugs?

Your links will be easier to read, remember, and navigate with a well-optimized URL slug, which will increase click-through rates and engagement. This section will examine URL slug optimization using a practical example and the Replug Shortener campaign.

Step 1

Log in to Replug or register for a free account.

Step 2

You’ll land on a dashboard. Create your brand here by clicking on the ‘New Brand’ button.

Step 3

Click on ‘Manage’ and select ‘Campaigns’ from the drop-down menu and fill in details to create your campaign.

Step 4

Once you’re done creating your campaign, select ‘Replug Links’ from the drop-down menu to optimize your long URL slug.

Step 5

Copy or edit the new link to your preference, select Update, and you’re done in steps 1 through 5.

How to change your slug in WordPress?

WordPress is known for its user-friendly interface and flexibility, making it a popular choice for website development. Changing a URL slug in WordPress is a simple process that can be done within the platform’s settings by following the steps below.

Step 1

Before starting you must ensure that your permalink structure allows for user-friendly URL slugs. Navigate to “Settings” and then to “Permalinks.”

You can choose one of the standard permalink structure types or create your own. However, it is recommended to use the”Post name” structure.

Step 2

Open the editor of the post or webpage and look for the “URL” section in the rightmost panel. Click on the automatically generated slug and edit it the way you want to. That’s it.

Related: How to Change Permalink in WordPress?

Benefits of using SEO-friendly URL slugs

1. Improve SEO

The strengthening of your website’s search engine optimization is one of the main advantages of using SEO-friendly URL slugs. Search engines can learn a lot about the content of your page when you use relevant keywords in the URL slugs of your URLs. The ability of the search engine to index and rank your pages for pertinent search queries is subsequently improved.

2. Increase shareability

Concise, descriptive, and simple-to-remember URL slugs are more likely to be shared on various platforms. Users are more likely to share valuable content with their friends, coworkers, or social media networks when the URLs are simple and clear.

When the reader comes across your URL, which is to the point (has the focus keyword), they can easily copy and paste the URL. The user-friendly and shareable URL slug allows others to access the same content quickly and effortlessly.

3. Enhance click-through rates

An SEO-optimized URL slug can also improve click-through rates (CTR) from search engine results pages (SERPs). When users see a relevant and well-structured URL slug that matches their search intent, they are more likely to click on the link, expecting it to lead to content that aligns with their needs. The user-friendly and keyword-rich URL slug assures the user that the page contains the desired information, thus increasing the likelihood of a click.

Let’s say someone is searching for “best smartphone deals”. He’ll click on a URL with a slug like “/best-smartphone-deals” rather than a generic one like “/products/abc123.”

Concluding remarks

URL slugs play a pivotal role in the world of Search Engine Optimization (SEO). These user-friendly, descriptive segments of URLs not only enhance the overall user experience but also significantly impact a website’s search engine ranking and visibility.

Optimize URL slugs with relevant keywords, using hyphens as separators, and keep them concise. In this way, you can signal search engines about your content’s focus and improve your chances of ranking higher in search results.

FAQs on URL Slugs

Why is it called a URL slug?

It’s called a URL slug due to its historical resemblance to the slimy, segmented part of a slug, reflecting its compact and descriptive nature in a URL.

What is permalink vs slug?

A permalink is the full URL of a webpage, while a slug is the portion of the permalink that represents the page’s content.

What is the URL slug parameter?

The URL slug parameter is the user-friendly, human-readable portion of a URL that identifies a specific page’s content.

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August 2, 2023
What Is a Permalink? How Does It Impacts SEO Ranking?
1.0 What are Permalinks?

Permalinks are permanent URLs that lead to specific webpages, enhancing navigation and SEO.

In the vast landscape of SEO, where digital trails intertwine and vie for attention, there emerges a significant factor known as the permalink. Permalinks give your content a digital identity, helping search engines understand what it’s all about. They’re like carefully crafted labels that can boost your website’s position in search engine rankings.

In simpler terms, permalinks are like digital fingerprints that help search engines find and rank your website. Using the right words in your permalinks can improve your website’s visibility and attract more visitors. So, let’s discover how they can boost your website’s presence online!

1.1 What are the characteristics of a Permalink?

The characteristics of a Permalink contribute to effective navigation, accessibility, and search engine optimization for web content. Here are the characteristics of a permalink:

Permanent: Designed to remain unchanged over time.

Descriptive: Includes keywords that describe the webpage’s content.

Readable: Easy to read and understand.

Consistent: Follows a consistent structure across the website.

SEO-friendly: Optimized with relevant keywords for search engine visibility.

Shareable: Allows easy sharing of specific web pages.

User-friendly: Enhances overall user experience.

Related: How to Create an SEO Friendly URL: Ultimate Tips

1.2 What is the structure and examples of a Permalink?

The structure of a permalink typically consists of the base URL of the website followed by additional elements that identify the specific webpage. Here is a common structure for permalinks:
https://www.example.com/category/post-title
In this structure, “https://www.example.com” represents the base URL of the website, “category” indicates the category or section of the webpage, and “post-title” denotes the unique title of the specific post.
Examples of permalinks based on the given structure:

https://www.example.com/news/introduction-to-permalinks

https://www.example.com/blog/seo-tips-for-beginners

https://www.example.com/products/product-name

https://www.example.com/events/upcoming-conference-detailsThese examples demonstrate how permalinks incorporate the website’s base URL, relevant category or section, and a descriptive element that represents the specific content of the webpage.
Related: How to Make a Url Link in Word?

1.3 Why should permalinks remain unchanged?

Here are the reasons why permalinks should remain unchanged:

Consistency: Unchanged permalinks provide a consistent and reliable web address.

Accessibility: They allow users to confidently bookmark, share, and reference specific web pages.

SEO Impact: Consistent permalinks help search engines establish a historical record of the webpage and improve search engine rankings.

Backlinks: Changing permalinks can invalidate existing backlinks, leading to traffic loss and credibility.

User Experience: Unchanged permalinks improve user experience by avoiding broken links and confusion.
Related: How to rename a link?

2.0 Why Do Permalinks Matter & How Do Permalinks Affect SEO?

Permalinks play an important role in search engine optimization (SEO) as they impact how search engines understand and rank your web pages.Here are some of the factors and tips to keep in mind for optimizing permalinks in the light of SEO:
- Include relevant keywords: Incorporate keywords that accurately reflect the content of the page. This helps search engines understand the topic and improves your chances of ranking for relevant searches.
- Keep it concise and readable: Create permalinks that are easy to read and understand.Use hyphens (-) to separate words and avoid using numbers or special characters. A clear and concise permalink improves user experience and SEO.
- Use a hierarchical structure: Organize your permalinks in a logical and hierarchical structure that reflects the structure of your website. This helps search engines understand the relationships between different pages and sections.
- Exclude stop words: Remove unnecessary words like “and,” “the,” or “of” from your permalinks. Focus on the essential keywords that convey the main topic of the page.
- Avoid changing permalinks frequently: Once you set a permalink structure, try to stick with it to maintain consistency. Changing permalinks frequently can lead to broken links and negatively impact your SEO. If you need to change a permalink, set up proper redirects to maintain SEO value.
- Customize permalink settings:
If you’re using a content management system (CMS) like WordPress, utilize its permalink settings to customize the URL structure. Choose a format that includes post titles or categories to optimize for SEO.
- Consider user experience: Permalinks should not only be optimized for search engines but also for users. Create permalinks that are descriptive and provide a clear idea of what the page is about. This helps users understand the content before clicking.
- Monitor and update: Regularly monitor your website’s performance, rankings, and user behavior. If you notice any issues or changes in search engine visibility, review and update your permalinks as needed.
- Set up proper 301 redirects:
When you change the permalink, make sure to set up 301 redirects from the old URL to the new URL. This tells search engines that the content has permanently moved and preserves your SEO value.

Related: What Does HTTP 302 Code Means For URL Shorteners?
- Keep the keywords consistent: Try to include the same or similar keywords in the new permalink as in the old one. This helps search engines understand the relevance of the content and maintain your rankings.
- Update internal links: Don’t forget to update any internal links within your website that point to the old permalink. Make sure they now point to the new permalink to provide a seamless user experience and maintain your SEO value.
- Reach out to external websites: If you have control over external websites linking to your old permalink, it’s a good idea to contact them and ask if they can update the links. This way, you preserve the link equity and SEO value associated with those backlinks.
- Submit your sitemap and fetch as Google: Update your website’s sitemap to include the new permalink and submit it to search engines. Additionally, use the “Fetch as Google” tool in Google Search Console to prompt search engines to crawl and index the new permalink.
- Keep an eye on your website’s performance: Monitor your website’s rankings and performance after the permalink change. Check for any fluctuations or issues and make adjustments if necessary.
- Keyword relevance:
Permalinks that include relevant keywords help search engines understand the content of a page. Including targeted keywords in the permalink can improve the page’s visibility for those specific search terms.
- Click-through rates: A well-structured and descriptive permalink can attract more clicks from users in search engine results pages (SERPs). When the permalink accurately reflects the content, it provides a clear idea to users about what they can expect on the page, leading to higher click-through rates.
- Backlink anchor text: When other websites link to your content, they often use the URL as the anchor text. Having relevant keywords in the permalink contributes to the anchor text of those backlinks, which can positively influence SEO and keyword rankings.
- Indexing and crawling: Permalinks play a role in search engine crawling and indexing processes. Clear and logical permalink structures make it easier for search engine bots to understand the organization and hierarchy of your website, leading to better indexing and potentially improved search visibility.
- URL sharing:
When people share your content via social media, email, or other platforms, they often include the URL. Having a permalink that is concise, descriptive, and visually appealing can encourage more sharing and engagement, amplifying the reach of your content.
- Credibility and trust: Permalinks that are readable and consistent convey a sense of professionalism and trustworthiness to users. A clean and well-formatted URL is more likely to be clicked and shared by users, contributing to increased traffic and potential backlinks.
Related: URL Hijacking Uncovered: A Complete Guide to Protecting Your Online Presence

2.1 What are the steps to follow to create permalinks?

Following the steps given below and create effective and SEO-friendly permalinks that accurately represent your content and enhance your website’s visibility in search engine results.
- Determine the permalink structure: Decide on the format and structure you want to use for your permalinks. Consider including elements such as the post title, category, or date.
- Access your content management system (CMS): If you’re using a CMS like WordPress, log in to the admin panel or dashboard.
- Navigate to the permalink settings: In the CMS settings, locate the section related to permalinks. This may be under the “Settings” or “Permalinks” menu.
- Customize the permalink structure: Within the permalink settings, choose the desired permalink structure that aligns with your preferences and website organization. Many CMS platforms offer predefined options or allow for customization.
- Incorporate relevant keywords: When creating permalinks, include relevant keywords that accurately describe the content of the page. This helps search engines understand the topic and improve your chances of ranking for relevant searches.
- Ensure readability and clarity: Create permalinks that are concise, easy to read, and understand. Use hyphens (-) to separate words and avoid unnecessary characters, numbers, or special symbols. Clear and readable permalinks benefit both search engines and users.
- Test the permalink: Before finalizing the permalink, click on it to ensure it directs to the correct page. Verify that the URL structure accurately represents the content and is free from any errors.
- Avoid frequent permalink changes: It is generally advisable to maintain a consistent permalink structure to avoid broken links and negative impacts on SEO. If you must change a permalink, set up proper redirects to preserve SEO value and user experience.
Related: How to create a vanity URL?

2.2 How to Change a Permalink in the WordPress Editor?

In order to change a permalink in the WordPress Editor, follow these steps:

Step 1: Log in to your WordPress dashboard.

Step 2: Navigate to the “Posts” or “Pages” section, depending on where the content with the permalink is located.

Find the specific post or page you want to edit and click on it to open it in the editor.

Step 3: In the editor, look for the section that displays the permalink. It is usually located below the title of the post or page.
Click on the “Edit” button next to the permalink. This will allow you to modify the existing URL.

Make the desired changes to the permalink. You can edit the text, remove certain words, or add new keywords.

After making the changes, click on the “OK” or “Save” button to update the permalink.

Once the permalink is updated, click on the “Update” or “Publish” button to save the changes to the post or page.

Note: It’s important to note that changing the permalink will result in a new URL for that specific content. This may affect any existing links pointing to the old permalink. To mitigate this, WordPress automatically sets up redirects from the old URL to the new one.

Related: How to Make a Url Link in Word?

3.0 FAQs

3.1 What is permalink or permanent link?

A permalink, also known as a permanent link.

3.2 What is the difference between permalinks, slugs, and links?
- Permalinks are the permanent URLs that point to specific pages or posts on a website.
- Slugs are the user-friendly and readable portion of the permalink that comes after the domain name.
- Links, in general, refer to clickable URLs that direct users to web pages.
3.3 What is the difference between permalinks and dynamic links?

Permalinks are static and permanent URLs that remain constant over time and point to specific pages or posts on a website. Dynamic links, on the other hand, are generated dynamically and often include query strings or parameters that change based on user interactions or database queries.

3.4 What is a permalink in wordpress?

In WordPress, a permalink refers to the permanent URL structure assigned to each post, page, or custom post type. It is a web address that remains unchanged over time and provides a direct link to a specific piece of content on a WordPress website. Permalinks play a crucial role in identifying and accessing individual pages or posts, and they can be customized to reflect the content’s title, category, or other elements.

3.5 What Happens If I Change My WordPress Permalinks?

If you change your WordPress permalinks, it can affect your search engine rankings and lead to broken links. To mitigate this, set up proper redirects and update internal links to preserve SEO value and maintain user access to content.
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May 25, 2023