Imagine this: You’re looking for a delicious chocolate cake recipe, and you stumble upon two URLs in the search results:
www.bakingsite.com/recipe?id=12345
www.bakingsite.com/easy-chocolate-cake-recipe
Which one are you more likely to click? The second one, right? It’s clear, descriptive, and even tells you what to expect before you open the link. Search engines and users both love clean, optimized URLs, but not everyone takes full advantage of this simple yet powerful SEO factor.
Let’s break down the untold tricks and NLP-based strategies to create URLs that rank better and drive more organic traffic.
1. Keep It Short, But Descriptive
Search engines prioritize user-friendly URLs, and one of the best ways to do that is by keeping them concise while maintaining relevance.
Untold Trick: The “5-Word Rule”
A great rule of thumb is to keep URLs around five words long. Anything longer tends to be confusing and less user-friendly. Instead of www.example.com/how-to-make-the-best-chocolate-cake-ever
, go for www.example.com/best-chocolate-cake
.
2. Use Keywords Naturally (But Avoid Stuffing)
Keywords in your URL help search engines understand what the page is about. However, keyword stuffing—cramming unnecessary keywords into your URL—can actually harm your rankings.
Tip: Use NLP-Based Keywords
Rather than repeating the same keyword awkwardly, use variations that reflect how people naturally search. For instance, instead of www.example.com/cheap-laptops-cheap-laptops-deals
, try www.example.com/best-budget-laptops
.
3. Avoid Dynamic Parameters & Special Characters
URLs filled with random numbers, symbols, or query strings (?id=5432&category=12
) look messy and are difficult to understand for both users and search engines.
Pro Tip: Use Static URLs
Whenever possible, opt for static URLs that include words rather than numbers and special characters. Example:
❌ Bad: www.example.com/product?id=9876
✅ Good: www.example.com/organic-green-tea
4. Hyphens Over Underscores
Search engines treat hyphens and underscores differently. While hyphens (-
) separate words clearly, underscores (_
) combine words into one.
Hidden Trick: The “Google Gap” Insight
Google treats fast-running-shoes
as fast running shoes
, but it sees fast_running_shoes
as fastrunningshoes
, making it harder to understand. Always use hyphens instead of underscores in URLs.
5. Ditch Stop Words (But Be Smart About It)
Stop words like “and,” “or,” “the,” and “of” don’t add much SEO value and can make URLs unnecessarily long.
Secret Strategy: Use Stop Words Selectively
Some stop words can be essential for readability. Instead of www.example.com/best-of-2024
, a cleaner version would be www.example.com/best-2024
. But in some cases, removing them makes the URL unnatural, so use your judgment.
6. Prioritize Readability & Predictability
Think of your URL as a roadmap for both users and search engines. A clear, predictable URL improves trust and click-through rates.
Real-Life Example: The Power of Clarity
Imagine you’re looking for travel tips for Bali. Which URL feels more trustworthy?
www.travelblog.com?post=56798
www.travelblog.com/bali-travel-tips
The second one immediately tells you what the page is about, increasing the likelihood of a click.
7. Implement Canonical URLs to Avoid Duplicate Content Issues
Duplicate URLs can cause SEO issues if search engines aren’t sure which version to rank. This often happens with e-commerce sites that generate multiple URLs for the same product.
Tip: Use Canonical Tags
If you have multiple URLs leading to the same content, use a canonical tag (rel=canonical
) to tell search engines which URL should be prioritized.
8. Structure Your URLs with a Logical Hierarchy
Your URL structure should mirror your website’s content hierarchy. Think of it like a breadcrumb trail that guides users and search engines.
Smart Structuring:
Instead of www.example.com/category123/subcategory456/item789
, go for www.example.com/electronics/laptops/macbook-pro
.
This structure makes it easier for search engines to crawl and helps users understand where they are on your site.
9. HTTPS is a Must
Security matters, not just for user trust but for SEO rankings. Google has explicitly stated that HTTPS is a ranking factor.
Pro Tip: Switch to HTTPS
Ensure your site uses https://
instead of http://
. This encrypts user data and prevents potential security issues, improving both trust and rankings.
10. Test & Optimize Using A/B Testing
Like anything in SEO, what works best for one website may not work as well for another. A/B testing different URL structures can reveal what performs better in terms of rankings and user engagement.
Pro Move: Use Google Search Console Insights
Check your indexed URLs in Google Search Console and monitor which ones receive more clicks and impressions. This can help refine your approach to URL optimization.
Conclusion: Small Changes, Big SEO Wins
Your URL is more than just an address—it’s a critical SEO asset that impacts visibility, rankings, and click-through rates. By implementing these untold tips and NLP-based strategies, you can create URLs that not only rank better but also drive more organic traffic.
So, the next time you create a URL, don’t just slap some words together. Craft it with intention, clarity, and SEO best practices in mind.
What’s the first URL on your site that you’re going to optimize today?