How to Create SEO-Friendly URLs | That Boost Your Blog’s Ranking
Published: 15/May/2025
Creating SEO-friendly URLs is one of the easiest but most powerful things you can do to boost your website traffic. Search engines love clean, short, and meaningful URLs. And guess what? Your readers love them too!
Let’s dive into how to create these magical links, with real-life examples and easy tips.
What Are SEO-Friendly URLs?
SEO Friendly Meaning in Simple Words
In simple words, SEO-friendly URLs are links that tell both search engines and people what the page is about. They are short, clear, and easy to understand.
For example:
✅ www.example.com/seo-tips
❌ www.example.com/page?id=1234
The first one is clean and tells us the page is about SEO tips.
Why SEO-Friendly URLs Matter for Your Website
Why care about your URLs? Simple:
- Google uses them to understand your content.
- Users are more likely to click them.
- They improve your site’s overall SEO.
It’s a small thing that brings big results.
The Basics of Creating SEO-Friendly URLs
Use Keywords in URLs
Put your main keyword in the URL. If your blog is about “SEO-Friendly URLs,” then that phrase should be in your link.
Example:www.site.com/seo-friendly-urls
This helps both users and search engines know what your page is about.
Keep It Short and Simple
Shorter URLs are easier to read and remember.
✅ www.site.com/seo-guide
❌ www.site.com/complete-seo-optimization-strategy-for-2025-guide
Stick to 3–5 words if possible.
Use Hyphens, Not Underscores
Google reads hyphens better than underscores.
✅ seo-friendly-urls
❌ seo_friendly_urls
Hyphens separate words. Underscores do not.
Make URLs Easy to Read
Your URL should be readable without guessing. Avoid numbers, symbols, and codes.
✅ www.blog.com/seo-tips
❌ www.blog.com/x34s-89_f-tips
Real Examples of Good vs. Bad URLs
Real Example #1: Blog Post URL
Bad:www.example.com/blog/article-34?ref=seo
Good:www.example.com/blog/seo-friendly-urls
Real Example #2: Product Page URL
Bad:www.shop.com/products?id=4523
Good:www.shop.com/products/seo-checker-tool
Real Example #3: Service Page URL
Bad:www.agency.com/service-page/2u3gddj
Good:www.agency.com/seo-services
SEO URL Length: Does It Matter?
How Long Should a URL Be?
Yes, length matters! Shorter URLs rank better. Aim for under 60 characters.
What Google Says About URL Length
Google’s John Mueller says shorter URLs are easier to crawl and rank better. So, trim the fat!
SEO-Friendly URL Structure Checker Tools
Free Tools to Test Your URLs
Want to run an SEO-friendly URL test? Use these tools:
- Ahrefs Site Audit
- Moz Pro
- Screaming Frog
- SEO friendly URL structure checker (online)
How to Use SEO Friendly URL Test Tools
Just paste your site’s URL. These tools will show
- If the structure is clean
- If keywords are used
- If the length is ideal
How to Create SEO-Friendly URLs in WordPress
Use WordPress Permalinks
Go to WordPress Dashboard > Settings > Permalinks.
Choose “Post name” for clean URLs.
Plugins to Help You Customize URLs
- Yoast SEO
- Rank Math
These help with slugs and show warnings if your URL is not optimized.
WordPress SEO Friendly URLs Best Practices
- Don’t use dates in URLs.
- Avoid category names if possible.
- Keep the slugs keyword-focused.
Create SEO-Friendly URLs in PHP
Basic PHP URL Rewriting
Use the.htaccess file to rewrite ugly links.
apacheCopyEditRewriteEngine On
RewriteRule ^seo-guide$ seo-guide.php [L]
Make SEO Friendly URLs in PHP Using .htaccess
This hides the .php and gives a cleaner look.
Example:www.site.com/seo-guide
instead ofwww.site.com/seo-guide.php
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not updating internal links
- Forgetting 301 redirects
- Using long random strings
What If Joomla SEO-Friendly URLs Are Not Working?
How to Fix SEO-Friendly URL Errors in Joomla
- Enable URL rewriting in Global Config.
Rename to.htaccess.txt.htaccess- Clear cache.
Best Settings for Joomla URL Optimization
- Use URL Rewriting: ON
- Add Suffix to URL: OFF
- Unicode Aliases: OFF
Advanced SEO Friendly URLs Tips
Avoid Using Dynamic Parameters
Avoid symbols like ?, &, or =
❌ www.site.com/page?id=6
✅ www.site.com/about-us
Remove Unnecessary Words
Words like “the,” “a,” “an, and “and” don’t help SEO. Keep it clean!
❌ www.site.com/the-best-seo-tools
✅ www.site.com/best-seo-tools
Make It Mobile and Social-Friendly
Short URLs look better on small screens and are easier to share.
Google SEO Friendly URL Structure Guidelines
What Google Wants from Your URL
- Use readable words
- Avoid long codes
- Use hyphens to separate words
Examples of Google SEO-Friendly URL Structure
✅ www.google.com/maps
✅ www.google.com/search-console
SEO Friendly URL Generator Tool
Tools That Create Clean URLs Automatically
Try these:
- SEO friendly URL generator tool by SmallSEOTools
- Slugify Tools
- URL Encoder by Ahrefs
Best Practices When Using URL Generators
- Double-check before publishing
- Customize the slug if needed
- Keep keywords in front
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Using Stop Words
Words like “and,” “or,” and “but” just add clutter.
Including Irrelevant Keywords
Don’t stuff keywords. Only use words that describe your page.
Ignoring Redirects After URL Change
Always set 301 redirects to avoid broken links and lost traffic.
How to Use SEO Friendly URLs on This Site
Step-by-Step URL Setup for SEO
- Pick your focus keyword.
- Use it in the URL.
- Remove extra words.
- Use hyphens to separate words.
Checking Existing URLs on Your Site
Use any SEO-friendly URL test tool to analyze current links.
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FAQs: 1. What makes a URL SEO-friendly?
An SEO-friendly URL is short, clear, and contains your main keyword. It helps search engines understand the page content and improves user experience. Here’s what makes a URL SEO-friendly:
- Includes keywords related to the content.
- Uses hyphens to separate words (not underscores).
- Avoid special characters like
?,&, or%. - It is short and easy to read (under 60 characters).
- Doesn’t contain numbers or random codes.
For example:
✅ www.site.com/seo-guide
❌ www.site.com/page?id=1234&cat=56
2. Can I change old URLs to new SEO-friendly ones?
Yes, you can—but do it carefully!
If your current URLs are messy or don’t have keywords, updating them can improve SEO. But you must:
- Set up 301 redirects from the old URLs to the new ones.
- Update internal links on your website.
- Submit updated pages in Google Search Console.
Example:
Old URL: www.site.com/post?id=55
New SEO-friendly URL:www.site.com/seo-url-guide
Changing without redirects will break links and hurt traffic, so always redirect properly.
3. How do I test if my URL is SEO-friendly?
You can test your URL using free SEO tools. These tools check for:
- Keyword usage
- URL length
- Readability
- Structure and format
Popular tools:
Also, just ask yourself:
- Can a human understand the URL?
- Does it match the page title?
- Is it short and clean?
If yes, your URL is likely SEO-friendly.
4. Do keywords in URLs still help with SEO?
Yes, but not as much as before.
Google confirmed that keywords in URLs are a small ranking factor. They help.
- Users understand what the page is about.
- Improve click-through rates in search results.
- Reinforce keyword relevance for search engines.
Example:
URL:www.example.com/seo-friendly-url-tips
This tells both Google and users what to expect on the page.
So, include the main keyword once in the URL, but avoid stuffing.
5. Is it bad to have numbers in URLs?
Yes, in most cases.
Numbers don’t help SEO or readability. They confuse users and make URLs look messy.
Example:
❌ www.blog.com/article-98743
✅ www.blog.com/seo-basics
However, exceptions exist:
- Product codes for eCommerce (if required)
- Years (like
2025) when needed
Even then, keep it clean and consistent.
6. What happens if I don’t use SEO-friendly URLs?
Here’s what can go wrong:
- Lower rankings—Google may not understand your page.
- Lower clicks—users skip confusing or ugly URLs.
- Lost traffic—Long or random URLs scare people away.
- Poor sharing—social media previews don’t look good.
In short, bad URLs = bad SEO and less traffic.
7. Can I use the same SEO-friendly URL for different pages?
No, that’s a bad idea. Every URL should be unique.
Using the same URL for different content confuses Google and can lead to duplicate content issues, which can hurt your rankings.
Each page must have:
- A different title
- Unique content
- A unique, keyword-based URL
Example:
Page 1:www.site.com/seo-tools
Page 2:www.site.com/seo-checklist
Each link leads to a different topic.
✅ Conclusion: Mastering SEO-Friendly URLs for Long-Term Success
Creating SEO-friendly URLs is not just a small technical task; it’s a powerful part of your website’s overall SEO strategy. A clean, keyword-rich, and user-friendly URL helps search engines and visitors understand your page before clicking on it. When your URLs are short, meaningful, and easy to read, people are more likely to trust your content and engage with your site.
Think of your URL like a street sign. If it’s clear and points in the right direction, people (and Google) will follow. But if it’s confusing, too long, or full of random symbols, they’ll ignore it.
Whether running a WordPress blog, building a Joomla site, or coding in PHP, you can always apply the same principles to improve your URLs. With real examples and the tips we’ve covered, from using hyphens to keeping the structure consistent. You’re now ready to optimize every link on your website.
Don’t forget to:
- Use the focus keyword naturally in the URL
- Keep the SEO URL length under 60 characters
- Use tools to test your URL structure
- Avoid special characters and messy numbers
- Redirect old URLs if you’re making changes
SEO-friendly URLs won’t magically rank your site #1, but they do support your SEO efforts, improve click-through rates, and help Google crawl your site efficiently.
Remember: It’s not just about search engines. It’s about people. So always ask yourself, would I click on this URL?
Now go and optimize your URLs like a pro!
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