A URL slug is the part of a web page's URL that comes after the domain name and provides a brief, descriptive summary of the page's content. It typically appears at the end of the URL, separated by a slash (/), and often includes keywords relevant to the page.
Example:
In the URL “https://www.example.com/blog/10-tips-for-better-sleep“, the slug is “10-tips-for-better-sleep”.
Slugs are important for SEO for several reasons:
- Keyword relevance: Including relevant keywords in the slug helps search engines understand the page's content and can contribute to better rankings for those keywords.
- User-friendliness: Descriptive, readable slugs help users understand what the page is about, making them more likely to click on the URL in search results.
- Social sharing: When users share URLs on social media or other platforms, a descriptive slug can make the link more enticing to click on.
- Hierarchy and organization: Well-structured slugs can help establish a clear hierarchy and organization of content on a website, making it easier for search engines to crawl and understand the site's structure.
Best practices for creating SEO-friendly slugs include keeping them short, using hyphens to separate words, including relevant keywords, and avoiding unnecessary words or characters. By optimizing URL slugs, websites can improve their search engine visibility and user experience.