July 9, 2024
By, Editorial Team
WordPress
Have you ever looked at a WordPress URL and wondered what that last bit, after the “.com” and sometimes a folder or two, actually means? That, my friend, is the slug! It might sound slimy, but trust us, WordPress experts consider it a friendly little element that plays a big role in your website’s success.
In this blog post, we’ll be diving deep into the world of WordPress slugs. We’ll answer all your burning questions, from what exactly a slug is to how to make it SEO friendly. We’ll even show you some pro tips for structuring your slugs to get the most out of your WordPress website. So, buckle up and get ready to become a WordPress slug master!
What is Slug in WordPress?
How Does Slug Work in WordPress?
- Customization: While WordPress can generate a slug based on your title by default, you have the option to create your own. This is particularly useful for crafting clear and concise URLs that incorporate relevant keywords.
- SEO Benefits: Optimizing your slugs with relevant keywords can positively impact your search engine optimization (SEO). Informative slugs make it easier for search engines to understand your content and improve your ranking in search results.
- User-friendliness: Descriptive slugs enhance the user experience by providing a clear indication of what a page or post is about before users even click on it.
In conclusion, slugs play an important role in both SEO and user experience within WordPress. By creating clear, informative, and keyword-rich slugs, you can improve your website’s searchability and make it easier for visitors to navigate your content.
How to Change Slug in WordPress?
How to Change Page Slug in WordPress?
- Navigate to Pages > All Pages.
- Locate the page you want to modify and hover your mouse over it.
- Click the Quick Edit link that appears.
- In the Slug field, enter your desired slug.
- Click the Update button to save the changes.
2. Editing the Page:
This approach offers more control over the slug and other page details. Follow these steps:
- Navigate to Pages > All Pages.
- Locate the page you want to modify and click Edit.
- On the right-hand side of the page editor, under the Document section, find the Permalink option.
- Click the Edit link next to the permalink.
- In the Slug field, enter your desired slug.
- Click the Publish button (or Update if the page is already published) to save the changes.
Remember: After changing a slug, it’s recommended to set up a 301 redirect to ensure search engines and users can still find your content using the old URL.
How to Change Custom Post Type Slug in WordPress?
Steps to Change Custom Post Type Slug in WordPress (Using Code):
- Access the theme functions file: This file (functions.php) controls your theme’s functionality. You can access it through the WordPress dashboard or a file transfer protocol (FTP) client.
- Add code to modify the slug: Within the functions.php file, locate a suitable place to add code (usually at the end). Here’s an example snippet:
$args = array(
‘rewrite’ => array( ‘slug’ => ‘your-new-slug’ ), // Replace ‘your-new-slug’ with your desired slug
);
register_post_type( ‘your-custom-post-type’, $args ); // Replace ‘your-custom-post-type’ with your actual custom post type name
}
add_action( ‘init’, ‘change_custom_post_slug’ )
- Save changes and refresh permalinks: After adding the code, save the functions.php file. Then, navigate to Settings > Permalinks and click Save Changes. This refreshes WordPress’s rewrite rules to reflect the new slug structure.
Important Note: It’s recommended to back up your theme’s functions.php file before making code edits. For more complex scenarios or plugin-created custom post types, consult a WordPress developer for assistance.
5 Quick Slug Structure Tips to Improve WordPress Website Performance
1. Keep It Short and Descriptive
- Aim for 3-5 words: Strive for slugs between 3-5 words to maintain readability and avoid overwhelming users.
- Focus on clarity: The primary function of a slug is to clearly communicate the content of a page or post.
- Original Slug: best_pizza_recipes_in_the_world_ever (too long and vague)
- Improved Slug: easy-homemade-pizza (clear and brief)
2. Use Keywords Wisely
- Target Relevant Keywords: Identify the primary keywords or phrases users might search for when seeking information similar to yours. Tools like Google Keyword Planner can be helpful for this.
- Integrate Naturally: While including keywords is important, prioritize readability. A keyword-stuffed slug that’s grammatically awkward will hinder user experience and potentially hurt your SEO.
- Original Slug: best_pizza_recipes_in_the_world_ever (keyword stuffing)
- Improved Slug: best-pizza-recipes (clear and incorporates a relevant keyword)
3. Avoid Stop Words
- Prioritize Readability: Removing stop words doesn’t affect the overall meaning of your slug but can improve its conciseness and readability for users.
- Focus on Keyword Prominence: Omitting stop words allows your target keywords to stand out more prominently within the slug, potentially improving search engine recognition.
- Original Slug: the-ultimate-guide-to-grilling (uses stop words)
- Improved Slug: ultimate-guide-to-grilling (clearer, shorter, and highlights the keyword)
4. Use Hyphens to Separate Words
- Improved Readability: Separating words with hyphens creates a visually clear and understandable structure for your slugs. This makes it easier for users to grasp the content’s meaning at a glance.
- Search Engine Recognition: Search engines often interpret underscores and spaces differently than hyphens within URLs. Using hyphens consistently ensures search engines can accurately parse your slugs and potentially improve ranking.
- Original Slug: bestpizzadoughrecipe (unclear and difficult to read)
- Improved Slug: best-pizza-dough-recipe (clear, separated with hyphens)
5. Make It Readable and User-Friendly
While SEO is important, user experience should never be an afterthought. Creating slugs that are clear, concise, and easy to understand will not only benefit search engines but also enhance the overall user experience of your website. Here’s why readability is crucial:
- Focus on Clarity: Always prioritize a slug that clearly conveys the content’s essence. Users should be able to grasp the main topic of a page or post at a glance.
- Maintain Consistency: Establish a consistent approach to slug creation across your website. This consistency improves user navigation and builds familiarity with your content structure.
- Consider Common Sense: While keywords are important, avoid overly technical terms or jargon that might confuse your target audience.
Example:
- Original Slug: seo-optimized-pizza-recipes-for-maximum-traffic (unclear and jargon-heavy)
- Improved Slug: easy-weeknight-pizza-recipes (clear, user-friendly, and uses relevant keywords)
By prioritizing readability and user-friendliness, you can craft slugs that not only attract search engines but also resonate with your human audience. This two-pronged approach is key to achieving optimal SEO results.
For complex SEO strategies or ongoing content creation, consider partnering with SEO experts. They possess the knowledge and experience to create not just user-friendly slugs, but also comprehensive SEO plans that elevate your website’s search engine ranking and drive organic traffic.
FAQs About Structured Data in WordPress
There are a few ways to retrieve the post slug in WordPress, depending on your situation:
- Using the global $post variable (within the loop):
global $post;
$post_slug = $post->post_name;
- Using get_post_field() function:
$slug = get_post_field( ‘post_name’, get_post() );
If you’re within the loop and working with the current category, you can use:
$category = get_queried_object();
$category_slug = $category->slug;
For a specific category by ID, use get_category($category_id)->slug.
There are two main ways to edit a slug:
- While editing the post/page: When creating or editing a post/page, look for the “Permalink” section below the editor. You can directly edit the slug there.
- Using the “Edit” link: Go to “Posts” or “Pages” and hover over the post/page you want to edit. Click the “Edit” link and follow the steps mentioned above.
Conclusion
In summary, understanding and managing WordPress slugs is essential for creating clean, SEO-friendly URLs for your posts, categories, and authors. By following the tips above, you can ensure your website structure is clear and easy to navigate for both visitors and search engines.
Still have questions or facing challenges with managing your WordPress slugs? Don’t worry, expert assistance is just a click away.
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