What is a URL Slug?

A URL slug is the part of a URL that comes after the domain name and is crucial in identifying specific pages on a site. It’s often used to describe the page content in a concise way. For example, in the URL ‘www.example.com/blog/seo-tips’, ‘seo-tips’ is the slug. The primary benefit? It helps both users and search engines understand the page topic, improving SEO and user experience.

How Does a URL Slug Work?

URL slugs are created from the page title, often automatically by content management systems like WordPress. They should be short, descriptive, and include keywords. A good slug tells users and search engines what to expect on the page. For example, a page titled “2025 SEO Strategies” might have a slug like ‘2025-seo-strategies’.

Why URL Slug Matters for SEO

Search engines use URL slugs to index content accurately, directly impacting your site’s ranking. A well-optimized slug signals relevance to search engines. According to Backlinko, short URLs rank better, and slugs are a key part of this. So, keep them concise and keyword-rich.

Common Use Cases / When to Use a URL Slug

URL slugs are used in every page URL to make them readable and SEO-friendly. If you’re launching a new blog post or product page, crafting an effective slug is crucial. Use them whenever you create new content to enhance discoverability.

Best Practices for URL Slug

  • Keep it short and descriptive.
  • Include primary keywords.
  • Avoid special characters — use hyphens instead.
  • Keep it all lowercase.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don’t cram too many words into a slug. Avoid using stop words like ‘and’, ‘the’, or ‘of’. Plus, never use duplicate slugs across different pages — it confuses search engines and users.

URL Slug vs Permalink

A URL slug is part of the permalink, which is the entire URL of a page. While the slug identifies the page, the permalink includes the domain and path. Think of slugs as the page’s unique identifier, while permalinks provide the full address.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a good URL slug?

A good URL slug is concise, keyword-rich, and easy to read. It should describe the page content clearly and accurately.

Can I change a URL slug after publishing?

Yes, but changing a slug can affect SEO. Use 301 redirects to retain traffic and search ranking from the old URL.

Do hyphens or underscores matter in slugs?

Yes, use hyphens to separate words in slugs. Search engines read hyphens as spaces, improving readability and indexing.

How long should a URL slug be?

Ideally, a URL slug should be 3-5 words long. Keep it under 50-60 characters to maintain clarity and relevance.

Key Takeaways

  • URL slugs are crucial for SEO and user experience.
  • Keep slugs short, descriptive, and keyword-rich.
  • Avoid using duplicate slugs across different pages.
  • Always use hyphens, not underscores, in slugs.