What is URL Slug?
URL slug is the readable portion of a web address that appears after the domain name, serving as a unique identifier for individual pages. Search engines use URL slugs to understand page content and hierarchy, making them an important technical SEO element that impacts both rankings and click-through rates.
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What You Need to Know about URL Slug
Keep Slugs Short and Descriptive
URL slugs should include primary keywords while staying concise, typically three to five words that clearly describe the page content without unnecessary words.
Use Hyphens to Separate Words
Hyphens act as word separators that search engines recognize, while underscores and spaces create readability issues. Always use hyphens between words in URL slugs.
Remove Stop Words When Possible
Common words like “and,” “the,” or “of” add length without SEO value. Strip these stop words to create cleaner, more focused URL structures.
Match URL Structure to Site Hierarchy
URL slugs should reflect your site’s logical structure, showing the relationship between categories and pages. This helps search engines understand content organization.
Avoid Changing Established URLs
Modifying URL slugs on established pages breaks existing links and can cause temporary ranking drops. When changes are necessary, implement proper 301 redirects.
Don’t Stuff Keywords Into Slugs
Repeating keywords or creating unnaturally long slugs damages user experience and can trigger over-optimization penalties. Focus on natural, descriptive phrasing that matches search intent.
Frequently Asked Questions about URL Slug
1. How long should a URL slug be?
Optimal URL slugs contain three to five words that clearly describe page content. Shorter slugs are easier to read and share while maintaining keyword relevance.
2. Should I update URL slugs on existing pages?
Changing URL slugs on established pages requires careful consideration. Only modify them when the benefit outweighs the risk of broken links and temporary ranking fluctuations.
3. Do URL slugs need to match page titles exactly?
URL slugs should reflect page content but don’t need to mirror titles word-for-word. Shorter, keyword-focused slugs often perform better than lengthy title repetitions.
4. Can URL slugs include numbers or dates?
Numbers work well for list articles and product models. Avoid dates in evergreen content URLs since they make pages appear outdated and complicate future updates.
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