What is Slug Optimization?
Slug optimization involves crafting clean, keyword-rich URL slugs (the part of the URL after the domain) that are readable, descriptive, and optimized for search engines.
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Introduction
The URL slug is the portion of a web address that identifies a specific page in readable format—like "best-seo-practices" in domain.com/blog/best-seo-practices. While a small ranking factor, optimized slugs improve click-through rates in search results, help users understand page content before clicking, and contribute to overall site organization.
Slug Best Practices
Create effective slugs by: Including the primary keyword, Keeping slugs short (3-5 words ideal), Using hyphens between words, Removing stop words (a, the, is, and), Writing in lowercase only, Making slugs readable and descriptive, Avoiding dates unless time-sensitive, and Matching the page's topic precisely.
Keywords in Slugs
Keyword optimization for slugs: Place primary keyword early in the slug, Avoid keyword stuffing, Use natural language phrasing, Match the page's target query, Consider variations and synonyms, and Keep focus on user understanding. Example: "seo-audit-checklist" vs "complete-ultimate-seo-audit-checklist-guide-2024".
Common Slug Mistakes
Avoid these slug errors: Auto-generated slugs from headlines (too long), Including dates for evergreen content, Using underscores instead of hyphens, Mixed case letters, Special characters or encoded spaces, Generic slugs like "page-1" or "post-123", and Changing slugs after publication (breaks links).
CMS-Specific Tips
Platform considerations: WordPress: Edit permalink after title entry, Shopify: Edit handle in product settings, Webflow: Set slug in page settings, Custom CMS: Build slug generation rules. Always preview URLs before publishing and set up redirects when changes are necessary.
URL Slug Length vs Performance
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