You’ve probably heard that URLs matter for SEO, but did you know the slug (the part after your domain name) plays a huge role too? A well-optimized slug helps search engines and users understand your page at a glance.
Here’s the problem: Most beginners either ignore slugs or overcomplicate them. Let’s fix that. In this guide, you’ll learn simple, effective SEO slug best practices to make your URLs work harder, without needing to be a tech expert.
What Is an SEO Slug? (And Why It Matters)
An SEO slug is the part of a URL that comes after the domain. For example, in:
https://seominikit.com/blog/seo-slug-best-practices
The slug is: /blog/seo-slug-best-practices
A good slug:
✅ Improves readability – Users (and Google) instantly know what the page is about.
✅ Boosts rankings – Keywords in slugs help with relevancy.
✅ Encourages clicks – Clean, descriptive URLs perform better in search results.
What Happens If You Ignore Slugs?
Default slugs often look like this:
https://example.com/?p=123
or
https://example.com/blog/post-title-2025-06-05-uncategorized
These are messy, unhelpful, and hurt SEO. Let’s fix that.
6 SEO Slug Best Practices for 2025
1. Keep It Short & Descriptive
Aim for 3-5 words max. Too long, and Google might truncate it in search results.
🚫 Bad: /blog/how-to-choose-the-best-coffee-maker-for-your-home-in-2025-based-on-expert-reviews
✅ Good: /blog/best-coffee-maker
Pro Tip: If you’re targeting a long-tail keyword, prioritize clarity over brevity.
2. Use Target Keywords (But Don’t Stuff)
Include your primary keyword naturally.
🚫 Bad: /blog/post-123
/blog/coffee-brewing-tips-for-2025-morning-routine
✅ Good: /blog/french-press-coffee-guide
Note: Avoid repeating keywords (e.g., /blog/coffee/coffee-brewing-guide).
3. Use Hyphens, Not Underscores or Spaces
Google treats hyphens (-) as word separators. Underscores (_) can cause confusion.
🚫 Bad: /blog/seo_slug_tips
/blog/seo%20slug%20tips
✅ Good: /blog/seo-slug-tips
4. Remove Stop Words (When Possible)
Words like a, the, and, of add clutter. Delete them unless they’re critical for readability.
🚫 Okay: /blog/the-best-seo-slug-practices-for-beginners
✅ Better: /blog/best-seo-slug-practices
5. Make It Lowercase
Some servers treat /Blog and /blog as different pages (causing duplicate content issues). Stick to lowercase.
🚫 Risky: /Blog/SEO-Slug-Tips
✅ Safe: /blog/seo-slug-tips
6. Avoid Dates & Numbers (Unless Necessary)
Unless you’re running a news site, dates in slugs make content look outdated.
🚫 Bad: /blog/seo-slug-tips-06-2025
✅ Good: /blog/seo-slug-tips
Exception: If you update annual guides (e.g., “best-coffee-makers-2025”), dates can help.
How to Fix Old Slugs (Without Losing SEO)
Already published posts with weak slugs? Don’t panic. You can update them if you set up 301 redirects to avoid broken links.
Here’s how:
- Check traffic: Use Google Analytics to ensure the page gets visits.
- Update the slug: In WordPress, edit the permalink (or ask your developer).
- Redirect the old URL: Plugins like Rank Math or Yoast SEO make this easy.
Pro Tip: Test redirects with a tool like Redirect Checker before going live.
Need Help? Try This Free URL Slug Generator
Manually creating slugs can be tedious. If you want a quick, SEO-friendly solution, try this free URL Slug Generator. Just paste your title, and it’ll optimize it in seconds.
Key Takeaways
- Keep slugs short (3-5 words) and keyword-focused.
- Use hyphens, lowercase letters, and avoid stop words.
- Update old slugs carefully with 301 redirects.
For deeper dives, check out Google’s URL guidelines or Ahrefs’ guide to SEO-friendly URLs.
Now, over to you: Have you ever changed a slug and seen ranking changes? Let us know in the comments!