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In this article, we will discuss how to create SEO-friendly URLs and optimize them.

Do you want to make your URL SEO-friendly if your answer is yes? 

So you have come to the absolutely right page. 

Today in this article I am going to tell you in detail about the Correct SEO-friendly URL permalinks Structure.

To create SEO-friendly permalinks, first of all, you have to understand their importance. 

After all, why should the URL be made SEO-friendly, and what is its importance?

By making the URL SEO friendly, your post ranks well in Google and a lot of organic traffic comes to your blog.

If you do not create SEO friendly URL structure for your post.

Then organic traffic will not come to your blog. 

Due to this, there will be no earnings on your blog.

If you have less time so please read these points and apply them.

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Quick tips for SEO-friendly URL

• Use User-friendly URL structure
• Use a dash to separate the word
• Always write the URL in small letters.
• Always write the URL
• The URL can be short or long.
• Always start the URL with the focus keyword.
• Use only the main words in the URL.
• Do not use stop words in the URL.
• Keep character 75 in the URL.

But if you read in-depth and understand them, then you can follow the complete article.

So let us now know how to make an SEO-friendly URL.

What is a SEO-Friendly URL?

Users’ and crawlers’ demands are taken into account when creating SEO-friendly URLs. Particularly, User-friendly URLs typically have brief and keyword-rich content.

Why are SEO-Friendly URLs Important?

Search engines use the URL of your page, along with your content, title, meta description, and link anchor text, to identify what your content is about.

Additionally, prospective customers examine the URL to get a sense of what to expect when they visit your page. 

In fact, Google’s SEO beginning guide includes instructions on URL building since it is so important.

However, you need to be aware of SEO ranking variables if you want to increase your online presence. 

Google specifically takes a number of elements involving your URL into account. Here are a few of these for you:

• URL length
• URL path
• URL keyword inclusion
• URL string 

Having the appropriate URL impacts how consumers think of your brand beyond the technical aspects of pleasing the search engines

• Clean URLs minimize user confusion, and user-friendly URLs are simpler for visitors to your website to remember
• Relevant search results are made possible by organized URLs – When URLs are properly organized, search engines’ jobs are made easier and your brand’s online exposure may rise.

Read This: What Are The 3 Pillars Of Seo

SEO-friendly URL structure

How To Create SEO-Friendly URLs?

URL is the main part of your article; URL has an important role in ranking your post in Google. 

So it is very important to write it correctly. 

For this, I am writing some important points below. Use them carefully.

1. Use SEO-friendly URL structure

If you are a WordPress user, then it is very easy for you to create an SEO-friendly URL structure. 

WordPress’s default URL structure is not SEO-friendly; you need to change it.

You can easily change the setting of URL permalinks by going to the settings of WordPress.

To create SEO friendly URL structure, first of all, you have to click on save by ticking on the WordPress dashboard >> Setting Permalinks >> Post Name. 

Your SEO-friendly URL structure is ready.

But keep one thing in particular.

You have to do this setting immediately after installing WordPress.

If your post is already ranking in Google, then please do not do this setting, otherwise, the ranking of your post may get spoiled. 

The best SEO-friendly URL structure is the post name, google itself recommends it. 

And this URL structure is also good to see and people also understand well what the post is about.

2. Use the keyword in the URL

Add your main keyword i.e. focus keyword in the URL. 

Put the main keyword at the beginning of the URL. 

Start the URL with the main keyword. 

But keep one thing in mind, use only the main two words in the URL, and do not repeat the main keyword twice in the URL. 

Otherwise, in the eyes of Google, it can be a matter of keyword stuffing.

3. Use a dash ( – ) to separate words

To separate Word, the setting of the slug in WordPress is the same by default dash. 

If you do not put a dash in between words. 

So automatically dash is applied automatically. 

But if you use an underscore or slash in between words then WordPress will count it as one word only and will put a dash in front of them.

4. Keep URL short

Always keep the URL short. 

Short URL makes people attractive, and it’s good to read too.

Google itself says that the shorter the URL, the easier it is to read and understand. 

And keep one thing in mind, do not repeat words in the URL.

If you do not know how many words should be in a perfect URL, then Google has told you that 75 characters in a perfect URL.

5. Use small letters in the URL

Always use small letters in the URL. 

Google says that it is correct to use small letters. 

Because it gives an attractive look to the URL. 

The words in small letters occupy less space as compared to capital letters.

6. Always write the URL in English

According to SEO, always write the URL in English.

Never write the URL in other languages, because it is not correct according to SEO.

Google says that Google’s bots are not able to read other languages and people also mostly search in English.

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7. Do not use stop words in the URL.

The shorter your URL, the better it will look.

Do not use stop words in the URL. 

Because stop words do not give any better information to the search engine Google.

You have limited words to write the URL, so do not add false words in your URL that have no meaning. 

Use only main-2 words in your URL.

8. Keep it Simple

Maintaining simplicity is one of the key elements of an SEO-friendly URL. Both humans and search engines can easily understand a simple URL. It must be simple to read, easy to recall, and clearly indicate the information on the page it links to. Make sure your URLs don’t contain too many parameters, symbols, or unnecessary characters.

9. Use Hyphens to Separate Words

Avoid using underscores since they can be interpreted as spaces and interfere with crawling and indexing.

10. Avoid Dynamic URLs

Search engines may find it challenging to analyze and index dynamic URLs that contain parameters or session IDs. If at all possible, avoid utilizing dynamic URLs. If you must use dynamic URLs, make sure to keep them as simple and easy to understand as you can.

11. Use Canonical Tags

Multiple URLs referring to the same page can cause duplicate content issues, which can be avoided by using canonical tags. A canonical tag tells search engines which URL to use while crawling your content as the one they like best.

12. Use Descriptive Anchor Text

Use descriptive anchor text that includes appropriate search terms when linking to your pages. This can both make it easier for users to browse your website and help search engines understand the content of your page.

13. Consider Localizing Your URLs

Consider localizing your URLs if your website supports various languages or geographical areas. This means creating unique URLs for each language or location, and it can help you rise in the local search results.

14. Regularly Review and Update Your URLs

In order to keep your URLs SEO-friendly, it’s crucial to frequently examine and change them. Your URLs may need to be modified when your website and content change to keep them effective and relevant.

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SEO-friendly URL generator

Good URL generator tools are;

• Slugify
• Dcpweb
• Html escape

SEO-friendly URL test

• Seositecheckup
• Seoptimer
• Prepostseo

SEO-Friendly URL Checklist (Short Version)

• Keep URLs short, clear, and readable
  
• Use hyphens (-) to separate words
  
• Use lowercase letters only
  
• Include one main keyword naturally
  
• Avoid special characters, numbers, IDs & stop words
  
• Avoid deep folders (keep URL structure simple)
  
• Make sure the URL matches the page intent
  
• Use 301 redirects if you change a URL
  
• Confirm the URL returns 200 OK (no errors)
  
• Double-check that the canonical tag points to the correct URL

Common URL Mistakes to Avoid

It’s worth emphasizing that small URL mistakes can impact your optimization efforts and user experience. Below are the most common mistakes to watch out for:

1. URLs That Are Too Long

It’s no secret that a lengthy URL is difficult for a user to read and navigate, and a long URL can harm CTR. When constructing your URLs, try to keep them short, clean, and to the point, reinforcing the use of the main, desired keyword.

2. Keyword Stuffing

The practice of using the same keyword many times is spammy (example: /best-seo-tools-seo-tools-seo/). You want to use one clear, natural keyword in the slug, nothing more.

3. Using Dates or Years

URLs with a date in them, for example /2021/03/seo-tips/, can make your content look old and reduce your options for optimizing it in the future. Keep URLs timeless so you can update the content anytime.

4. Special Characters & Symbols

Special characters include &, %, ?, #, and spaces, which then create messy, encoded URLs. Stick to simple words and hyphens only (for example: /web-design-seo/).

5. CamelCase or Uppercase Letters

URL structures like /BestSEOPractices/ can create duplicate versions of the same URL on some servers. Whereas using lowercase will help keep it consistent.

6. Duplicate or Similar URLs

Having multiple URLs that point to the same page ( for example: /seo-tips/ versus /seo-tips-2/) is often confusing to website crawlers. You will want to consolidate any duplicates, using 301-redirects when necessary.

Examples of Good vs Bad SEO-Friendly URLs

A better, clearer, and simpler URL can assist both the user and the search engine in understanding what is on a page. Below are examples in a real-world setting to illustrate how small adjustments can create a cleaner, shorter, and more SEO-friendly URL.

1. Blog Post URL

Bad:
https://example.com/blog/2024/07/18/how-to-create-seo-friendly-urls-best-practices-guide
Too long, includes date, and unnecessary words.

Good:
https://example.com/seo-friendly-urls
Short, clear, focused on the main keyword.

2. Product Page URL

Bad:
https://store.com/product?id=7823&ref=homepage
Dynamic parameters, no context.

Good:
https://store.com/wireless-earbuds
Descriptive, readable, static URL.

4. Local Business Page URL

Bad:
https://plumber.com/locations/service-area-37488-b
Confusing, includes unnecessary numbers/letters.

Good:
https://plumber.com/plumbing-services-chicago
Clear geographic intent, user-friendly.

5. Category Page URL

Bad:
https://recipes.com/category/food/healthy/recipes/food123
Deep structure, redundant folders.

Good:
https://recipes.com/healthy-recipes
Simple and relevant to both users and search engines.

SEO-friendly URL examples

For this post, we use 

Other examples are

Conclusion

In this article, we will discuss how to create SEO-friendly URLs.

And I am sure you will learn and apply it in a correct manner.

If you are a seasoned blogger then don’t change permalink settings.

But you are new, you definitely do this as a first priority.

If you have benefited a bit from this article of mine.

Then please tell us through comments. And do share this article of ours with your friends.

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