URL Slug Explained: What It Is & Why It’s Important for SEO

 • 6 min read

What is a url slug?
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Have you ever noticed the string of characters at the end of a URL? That’s what’s known as a URL slug. While it may not look like much, the slug plays an important role in search engine optimization (SEO). It helps search engines understand what the page is about, which in turn can impact the page’s search engine rankings in search results.

In this article, we’ll explain what a URL slug is and why it’s essential for optimizing your website for search engines.

What Is a URL Slug?

A URL slug is a unique identifier for a given page on a website. It’s the part of the URL that comes after the domain name.

For example, take a look at the URL for this very blog post:

https://markitors.com/blog/what-is-a-url-slug/

The slug is “what-is-a-url-slug.”

Slugs are typically made up of lowercase letters, numbers, and hyphens. They can be up to 100 characters long, but most are much shorter.

What’s the Point of a Slug?

Slugs are important for two main reasons:

  • they make URLs more readable, and
  • they help search engines understand what a page is about.

Here’s an example of a URL with a long, messy slug:

https://example.com/pages?id=1234&title=this-is-a-long-and-messy-slug

Now, compare that to a URL with a clean, concise slug:

https://example.com/pages/this-is-a-short-and-readable-slug

Which URL is easier to read and understand? The second one, of course.

Slugs also play an important role in SEO. That’s because search engines use them to help determine what a given page is about. A well-written and descriptive slug can help improve a page’s ranking in search results.

Consider the following two URLs:

https://example.com/blog/12345

https://example.com/blog/how-to-write-a-good-url-slug

Both pages are about writing good URL slugs, but it’s clear that the second page is more relevant to the topic. As a result, it’s likely to rank higher in search results.

How To Optimize Your Slugs for SEO

There are a few things you can do to make sure your slugs are optimized for SEO:

1. Use Keywords Strategically

As we mentioned earlier, slugs help search engines understand what a given page is about. So, it stands to reason that you should include relevant target keywords in your slugs.

However, you don’t want to stuff your slugs full of keywords. That will not only make them less readable but could also result in search engine penalties. Instead, use keywords strategically and sparingly. Focus on including one or two relevant keywords that accurately describe the page’s content.

2. Keep It Short and Sweet

In general, shorter slugs are better than longer ones. Not only are they easier to read, but they’re also easier for search engines to understand. So, try to keep your slugs under 60 characters whenever possible.

3. Use Hyphens To Separate Words

When creating a slug, it’s important to use hyphens to separate words. That’s what search engines expect, and it makes your slugs much easier to read.

4. Avoid Using Special Characters

Special characters can cause problems for both users and search engines. For that reason, it’s best to avoid using them altogether. If you need to use a special character, such as an apostrophe, encode it first.

5. Make Your Slugs Unique

Each page on your website should have a unique URL slug. That way, search engines will know that the pages are about different topics and can index them accordingly.

You can’t always control what appears in your slug (for example, if you’re using a dynamic URL), but you should make an effort to keep your slugs as unique as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions About SEO Slugs

Here are some of the most asked questions when it comes to understanding what slugs are and how they work in SEO:

1. What is the best length for a URL slug?

In general, shorter slugs are better than longer ones. Try to keep your custom slugs under 60 characters whenever possible.

2. Can I use stop words in my URL slugs?

Yes, you can use stop words in your slugs. However, it’s generally not considered a good practice as it can make your slugs less readable.

3. What characters should I avoid using in my URL slugs?

You should avoid using special characters in your slugs. If you need to use a special character, such as an apostrophe, encode it first.

4. How do I create a slug for my website?

There are a few different ways to create a slug for your website. One method is to simply take the post title and remove all the spaces between the words. Another method is to use a URL slug generator tool.

5. What is the difference between a URL and a slug?

A URL is the complete address of a given page on the internet. A slug is the part of the URL that comes after the domain name.

A well-optimized slug can help improve your website’s SEO and make it easier for users to find your content. When creating a slug, be sure to use keywords strategically, keep it short and sweet, and avoid using special characters.

Need Help With On-Page and Off-Page SEO Strategy?

Markitors has your back. We’re a digital marketing agency that specializes in SEO. We’ve worked with clients in a wide range of industries, from small businesses to large enterprises.

Contact Markitors today to learn more about what we can do for you.

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