Best practices for optimizing URL structure:

  • Use simple, descriptive URLs:
    Shorter URLs are easier to read and share. Aim for clarity and simplicity
    while ensuring it still describes the content accurately.
  • Use hyphens (-) to separate words:
    When it comes to URL structure, using underscores as word separators is
    not recommended because search engines may not interpret them
    correctly and may consider them to be a part of a word. Using hyphens
    instead of underscores makes it easier for search engines to understand
    what your page is about.

  • Include keywords:
    Make sure your URL includes the main keyword or phrase that reflects the
    page’s content. This helps search engines understand what the page is
    about.

  • Avoid special characters and stop words:
    Avoid using special characters like & , % , # , = , or ? , as they can cause
    issues with indexing and user experience. Stop words like "and", "the", "a",
    or "of" can often be removed to keep the URL shorter without losing
    meaning.

  • Keep URLs lowercase and localized on latin alphabet:
    Use lowercase letters to avoid issues with case sensitivity. URLs with
    uppercase letters can lead to duplicate content issues because they may be
    treated as different URLs. Ensure that your URL is written in the local
    language on latin alphabet . This makes it more relevant for users in that
    region and helps with keyword targeting in local searches.

  • Using numbers in URLs:
    Using numbers in URLs can be beneficial, especially for list-based or stepbased content. It adds clarity, helps with SEO, and often makes the URL
    more appealing to users.

    Good option to use number in URL: 

    • List-based content: If your page includes a list, tips, or a step-by-step
      guide, using numbers can be both descriptive and appealing for users.
      (e.g. https://www.tevacanada.com/en/canada/life-effects/4-selfcare-
      tips-for-caregivers/)
    • Dates: For news articles, event-based pages, or content that’s updated
      regularly, including the year or date can help the page stay relevant and fresh.
    • Product or category numbers: If your website has a product or
      category system with unique identifiers, you can use numbers as part
      of the URL structure. 

Best to avoid number in URL:

    • Lack of Context: The number 12345 doesn't provide any information
      about the content of the blog post. Users and search engines can't
      easily understand what the page is about.
    • Image: Descriptive image URLs can help with SEO. Search engines can
      better understand the content of the image if the URL includes relevant keywords.
    • Content Updates: If the content of a page changes frequently, using
      numbers can be problematic. For instance, if you use dates in your
      URLs, you might need to update the URL every time the content is
      updated, which can lead to broken links and a poor user experience.