URL Structure

Learning objectives#

• Write readable, descriptive URLs
• Organise URLs into logical folders
• Handle parameters and trailing slashes
• Change URLs safely with redirects

Explanation#

Good URLs are short, lowercase, use hyphens between words and describe the content: /tutorials/react/usestate-hook.

Folders mirror site structure and feed breadcrumbs.

Avoid session IDs and unnecessary parameters; filters and sorting parameters can create endless duplicates — handle them with canonicals or noindex.

If a URL must change, 301-redirect the old one to the new one and update internal links.

Code example: Before and after#

1❌ https://example.com/index.php?page=lesson&id=4821&lang=en&sessionid=a8f3
2❌ https://example.com/Tutorials/React_Hooks/UseState%20Hook
3✅ https://example.com/tutorials/react/usestate-hook
4

5Redirect when renaming (Apache .htaccess):
6Redirect 301 /tutorials/react/use-state /tutorials/react/usestate-hook

The clean URL is readable, shareable, and its folders become breadcrumbs in search results.

This example is illustrative. Copy or download it and run it in your own environment; the expected output is shown above.

Step-by-step explanation#

1. Use words, not IDs.
2. Lowercase and hyphens only.
3. Nest by section.
4. Redirect old URLs permanently.

Real-world use case#

Common mistakes#

Best practices#

• Short, descriptive, lowercase, hyphenated
• Logical folders
• One consistent trailing-slash policy
• 301 on every URL change

Remember this#

Practice exercise#

1/tutorials/asp-net-core-web-api/jwt-authentication

Mini quiz#

Want more? Practise all SEO MCQs · SEO interview questions

Related topics#

My notes#

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