Changing your Facebook URL can be a great way to make your profile more memorable and easier to find. It can also add a personal touch to your profile and make it easier for people to find you if they are searching for you on search engines.
Additionally, it can help to prevent confusion if you have multiple accounts with similar usernames. Finally, it can also help to ensure that your profile remains secure since anyone with your username can access it.
Here’s how to change your Facebook URL on mobile and desktop using a Facebook URL shortener.
How to change Facebook URL on your mobile?
You can easily change your Facebook URL through the Facebook Messenger app on your phone.
Follow these steps:
Step no 01: Open the Facebook messenger app fromyour phone.
Step no 02: Tap on the three-lined menu icon in the top left corner.
Step no 03: Now tap on the setting icon near the top right corner.
Step no 04: Look for the “Username” section and tap on it.
Step no 05: Now tap the “Edit Username” section.
Step no 06: Type your new user name.
Note: Only available usernames can be selected. Try typing an alternate user name if your intended one is not available.
Step no 07: Tap save, and you’ll have your new user name, which will also be your new URL.
That’s it! Your Facebook URL has been successfully updated.
Replug makes it easy to shorten and customize your Facebook page URL while providing powerful features like link tracking and performance analytics.
With Replug’s URL shortener, you can also apply custom branding to your links, offering a personalized touch that helps reinforce your brand identity. Here’s how to use Replug to update your Facebook page URL:
Step no 01: Log in to your existing Replug account. If you don’t have an account yet, create one—it’s quick and easy!
Step no 02: On the homepage, locate the “Quickly shorten your link” bar. Paste your Facebook URL into the field provided.
Step no 03: Click the edit button at the end of the URL bar. Enter the desired URL slug to personalize the link.
Step no 04: Click the “Save Shortened Link” button at the bottom. Once saved, your new, customized Facebook URL is ready to be shared with your audience!
By following these simple steps, you can enhance your Facebook page’s visibility and track how it performs using Replug’s robust tools.
FAQs
Why can’t I change my Facebook URL after following all the steps?
It may be because you have already changed your Facebook URL. Facebook only allows you to change your URL once, so if you changed it before, you would not be able to change it again.
What is a Facebook URL?
A Facebook URL is the unique web address used to access a specific Facebook profile, page, or post. It usually starts with www.facebook.com/ followed by the username, page name, or post ID.
How do I share my Facebook page URL?
Go to your Facebook page, copy the URL from the browser’s address bar, and share it directly on social media, in messages, or through email.
Why is my Facebook URL not working?
Your Facebook URL might not work if: The page or profile is deleted or deactivated. The username or page name has been changed. There’s a typo in the URL.
Steam is a digital distribution service developed by Valve. It was launched in September 2003 as a way for Valve to provide automatic updates for its games and quickly expanded to include other games and software. Steam has become the most prominent digital distribution platform for PC games, with over 100 million active users.
In addition to its huge game library, Steam provides features like community forums, game reviews, and in-game purchases. But with the growing need to share content, URL shortening is key for promoting game links, trailers, and community posts on social media.
For example, if you’re sharing a lengthy Steam game URL on social media, using a smart link hub like Replug.io can make the link more presentable and manageable. Shortened URLs are ideal for platforms like Twitter (X), where character count matters.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about Steam URLs and how to effortlessly share them on social media. Let’s dive in!
Steam offers a variety of features, including:
A library of over 50,000 games
Automatic updates for games
The ability to chat with friends and other players
The ability to create and join communities
The ability to purchase games and other software
The ability to stream games
Steam is available on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
What is my steam profile URL?
A Steam URL is a unique identifier for a Steam user or game. It is a string of letters and numbers used to access the user’s profile or the game’s store page on the Steam website.
How to find Steam URL?
To find your Steam URL, follow these steps:
Step 1: Open the Steam client.
Step 2: Click on your profile name in the top right corner.
Step 3: Select “View profile” from the drop-down menu.
Step 4: Your Steam URL will be displayed in the URL bar at the top of the page.
Your Steam URL is a unique identifier that can be used to find your profile on Steam. It is also used to create links to your profile, such as when you want to share it with friends.
Your Steam ID is a unique number that is assigned to your account. It can be found in the “Account Details” section of your profile.
Shortening your Steam URL for social sharing means making long web addresses shorter, making them easier to share on social media. This simplifies sharing, looks better, and often comes with tracking features. It increases click-through rates, works offline too, and can even subtly promote your brand.
How to shorten your Steam URL?
Step no 01: Begin by signing in to your Replug account, or if you’re new, create a free account.
Step no 02: In the “Shorten your link” bar at the upper left corner, paste your Steam URL.
Step no 03: Once redirected, you can add a link preview, set an expiry date, and customize the link settings to your liking.
Step no 04: On this page, locate the top bar where you can edit the link slug to match your preference.
Step no 05: Press the tick button, scroll down, and save your newly shortened link. You’re all set!
Replug offers robust link tracking and analytics features. You can monitor the performance of your shortened links in real time. You can gain insights into the number of clicks, geographic locations of users, referring sources, and more.
This data empowers you to refine your strategies, tailor your content to your audience, and make informed decisions to optimize your link management efforts.
Maximize marketing ROI
by transforming ordinary URLs into branded short links that convert.
Try Replug for free
To create a Steam account, visit the official Steam website and click on the “Join Steam” or “Install Steam” button. Follow the prompts to set up your account.
Can I play games on Steam without purchasing them?
While many games on Steam are paid, the platform also offers free-to-play games that you can enjoy without any purchase.
How do I buy games on Steam?
You can buy games on Steam by adding them to your cart and proceeding to the checkout. Payment options include credit cards, PayPal, and other digital payment methods.
Can I share my Steam games with friends?
Steam offers a feature called “Family Library Sharing,” allowing you to share your game library with friends or family members on different devices. There are some restrictions and guidelines for this feature.
How do I shorten a Steam URL?
You can use online URL-shortening services or tools provided by platforms like Replug. Simply paste the original URL into the tool, and it will create short link version for you to use seamleassly.
Can I track the performance of a shortened Steam URL?
Yes, some URL shortening services, including Replug, offer tracking features. You can monitor clicks, locations, and referral sources to assess the impact of your shared links.
Many people are understandably cautious about clicking on links, whether due to annoying website pop-ups or emails from unfamiliar sources.
At the same time, this hesitation poses a challenge for marketers, as getting users to click on URLs is vital for engagement and conversions.
This is where a free link shortener with tracking capabilities comes into play. It helps you create short URLs quickly and hassle-free.
These attractive and concise links have become popular among influencers, brands, marketers, and bloggers. These professionals utilize them to enhance marketing efforts, engagement, and click-through rates across various platforms.
Let’s explore the concept of shortened URLs and the possibilities of using short, branded URLs to boost marketing campaigns.
What are short URLs?
A short URL is a compressed version of a longer web address, created using a URL shortening service like Replug.
These links redirect users to the original URL but take up far less space, making them ideal for social media posts, SMS messages, email campaigns, and print materials.
The primary purpose of using such URLs is to enhance readability, make links more shareable, and provide a cleaner, more professional appearance across digital platforms.
The ultimate goal is to enhance user experience and maximize click-through rates (CTR) by making links easier to recognize, trust, and remember.
In fact, Backlinko reports that the top Google result earns a 27.6% CTR, showing just how impactful optimized URLs can be, especially when they’re concise and keyword-rich.
Importance of Short URLs
🔗 Improved click-through rates (CTR): Shorter, cleaner links tend to attract more clicks, especially when customized with relevant keywords.
📱 Better user experience: Long URLs can be messy and irritating. Short links are easier to read, type, and share, particularly on mobile devices.
📢 Cross-platform compatibility: Short URLs work seamlessly across all channels, from emails and tweets to offline QR codes and posters.
🎯 Efficient space usage: Especially useful in character-limited platforms like Twitter, where every character matters.
📊 Trackable engagement: The best URL shorteners come with built-in analytics to track performance, including clicks, device types, locations, and referrers.
Branded short links are more than just shortened URLs. They’re powerful marketing tools that enhance brand visibility, trust, and campaign performance.
🧠 Increased Brand Awareness: Branded links (e.g., yourbrand.link/offer) keep your business name front and center, reinforcing brand identity.
🤝 Higher Trust & Credibility: Users are more likely to click a link that includes your brand name rather than a random string of characters.
📈 Enhanced Conversion Rates: Recognizable, trustworthy links can drive more conversions by reducing hesitation and building confidence.
🔍 SEO Benefits & Keyword Relevance: Branded short links with targeted keywords can improve link context and searchability.
🛠️ Campaign Differentiation: Marketers can create unique branded links for different campaigns or platforms, making it easier to measure effectiveness and ROI.
How to use short URLs for marketing purposes
In today’s fast-paced digital world, every character counts, especially in marketing. Short URLs not only help streamline your messaging across channels but also offer powerful branding, tracking, and optimization opportunities.
When used strategically, they can significantly uplift your campaigns’ performance, improve engagement, and boost brand recognition.
Select a branded domain
Branded short links do more than just save space; they make a lasting impression.
Raise trust
Generic short URLs (like bit.ly or tinyurl.com) can appear suspicious to users. A branded short domain (e.g., nyti.ms for The New York Times or amzn.to for Amazon) instantly signals credibility.
Consumers are more likely to click on links that clearly indicate their source, which reduces bounce rates and enhances user confidence.
Boost brand recognition
A consistent, customized short link reinforces your brand with every share. When your brand name is visible in the link (e.g., yourbrand.link/offer), it becomes a subtle yet powerful marketing asset.
Over time, this repeated visibility strengthens brand recall and sets your content apart from generic competition.
Create meaningful custom links using a URL shortener
A short URL should still tell a story.
Contextualize
Avoid ambiguous strings like bit.ly/3kYs8dQ. Instead, create links that provide immediate context, like yourbrand.link/fall-sale.
This not only improves click-through rates but also helps users understand what they’re about to view.
Utilize keywords
Including relevant keywords in your custom URL improves both SEO and user engagement.
For instance, a campaign for a new product launch might use yourbrand.link/new-smartwatch, instantly conveying value while helping search engines index the link contextually.
Take advantage of the tracking & analytics capabilities of a URL shortener
One of the greatest strengths of short URLs lies in the data insights they provide.
Monitor clicks
Track how many times your links are clicked, and when. This helps determine peak engagement hours, ideal publishing times, and overall campaign performance.
Segment data by channel
Most paid URL shorteners (like Bitly, Rebrandly, or Sniply) allow segmentation by traffic source. Whether the link was clicked via Instagram, email, or a QR code on a flyer, you can pinpoint which platforms drive the most traffic.
Track performance
Beyond raw clicks, evaluate metrics such as bounce rate, time on site, and conversions associated with each short link.
For instance, yourbrand.link/discount might drive 10,000 clicks but only 1% conversions, prompting a change in strategy or landing page design.
Monitor multi-channel campaigns
Use unique short URLs for each channel in a multi-channel campaign (e.g., yourbrand.link/email, yourbrand.link/facebook, etc.). This gives you precise insights into what’s working and what needs refinement across your marketing mix.
Refine campaigns
Data from short links isn’t just for reporting, it’s actionable. Low click-through rates on a particular platform may suggest poor copy or ineffective targeting. Conversely, high-performing links can serve as templates for future campaigns.
Gain insights into audience engagement
Are mobile users engaging more than desktop users? Are certain geographic regions clicking more frequently?
Link analytics can provide rich behavioral insights, enabling you to tailor your messaging and audience targeting more precisely.
Deploy the short links across all marketing channels
Short links excel in their flexibility and universal applicability.
Social media
Character-limited platforms like Twitter and Instagram bios benefit greatly from short links. For example, a post might include yourbrand.link/freeguide to maximize space and visibility without clutter.
Emails
Short URLs keep your emails clean and clickable. They’re especially useful in tracking which links recipients engage with the most, allowing for precise list segmentation and follow-up.
SMS campaigns
Text message or SMS marketing succeeds due to its conciseness. A short, branded link not only fits character limits but also makes the message feel more professional, increasing trust and CTR.
Content marketing
In blog posts or downloadable PDFs, short URLs are easier to remember and type. They’re especially useful in content upgrades or linking to gated assets (e.g., yourbrand.link/checklist).
Print & offline media
Short URLs often back QR codes. But even without a QR code, having a memorable short URL on a poster, business card, or flyer (e.g., yourbrand.link/event) makes it easier for users to engage offline.
Test & iterate
Effective marketing is a cycle of experimentation and refinement.
A/B testing
A/B testing is a method for comparing two or more cases to see which one performs better. Use multiple variations of your short URLs to test different messages, formats, or landing pages.
For example, test yourbrand.link/save20 vs. yourbrand.link/20off to see which resonates better with your audience.
Stay consistent
Consistency builds familiarity. Stick to a recognizable format and naming convention for your URLs to make them more memorable and reinforce your brand across all campaigns.
Short URLs are more than a space-saving tool; they’re a strategic marketing asset. When branded, customized, and tracked effectively, they enhance trust, boost engagement, and provide actionable insights that help refine your campaigns.
Whether you’re launching a new product, running a seasonal promotion, or simply sharing blog content, integrating short URLs across your marketing channels ensures your message is not only seen, but remembered and acted upon.
How to use short URLs for marketing campaigns: Some good examples at hand
Let’s explore five successful examples of brands using short URLs to drive marketing results effectively.
Coca-Cola’s “cokeurl.com”
Strategy: Coca-Cola created a custom branded short domain, cokeurl.com, to reinforce its brand identity in digital campaigns.
Use case: In global promotions like the “Share a Coke” campaign, they used short URLs to direct users to personalized bottle pages or social contests.
Why it works: These links were easy to remember and instantly associated with the brand, thereby improving engagement across platforms such as Twitter and SMS.
New York Times’ “nyti.ms”
Strategy: The New York Times uses nyti.ms, a branded short domain, for sharing articles across social media.
Use case: Each shortened link redirects to a full NYT article, especially effective on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), where character count matters.
Why it works: Branded URLs, such as nyti.ms/abc123, build trust, signaling to users that the link leads to a reputable source — a key factor in increasing click-through rates.
Amazon’s “amzn.to”
Strategy: Amazon uses the custom short domain amzn.to, powered by Bitly, for affiliate and product links.
Use case: Affiliates and marketers share these links on blogs, YouTube descriptions, and social media to drive sales and earn commissions.
Why it works: These URLs are concise, trackable, and clean, enabling both Amazon and its partners to monitor traffic, conversions, and optimize campaigns in real-time.
Spotify’s campaign-specific short links
Strategy: Spotify uses short URLs for sharing playlists, artist pages, and marketing campaigns, often through branded or campaign-specific domains.
Use case: During the launch of new features or artist collaborations (e.g., “wrapped” campaigns), Spotify uses custom short links to drive mobile traffic.
Why it works: These links enhance shareability and enable Spotify to collect user data, including location and device information, for retargeting and analytics purposes.
Pepsi’s QR & short link integration in campaigns
Strategy: Pepsi integrates short URLs alongside QR codes in product packaging and TV commercials.
Use case: During promotions like the “Pepsi Stuff” rewards program, they used memorable short links to direct users to sign-up pages and promo details.
Why it works: Combining visual codes with short, branded URLs ensures a seamless user experience, especially for mobile users who may not be able to scan a QR code (at times) but can easily type a simple URL.
The best URL shortener for online marketing in 2025
Replug.io is an all-in-one link management tool designed for brands, marketers, SEO specialists, and bloggers to create, manage, and analyze short URLs.
It’s a comprehensive URL shortening tool that provides several link management services to upgrade your social media marketing to the next level.
Thousands of happy customers worldwide trust Replug for the link shortening task. One major reason for its success is that it offers much more than the average URL shortener freely available online.
Users find URL shortening, tracking, bio links, and much more under the same umbrella. It’s, without a doubt, the best URL shortener for social media marketers.
Key features
Precise URL shortening
Custom domain configuration for branded short URLs
URL analytics to track and monitor URL performance
QR code management for links
Customizable call-to-actions
Pricing
Free: $0/month
Essentials: $9/month
Scale: $23/month
Agency: $79/month
Wrapping up
To sum up, short URLs have become vital tools for modern marketers, helping improve brand visibility, track campaign performance, and enhance user engagement.
By integrating branded short links into your digital marketing strategy, you can establish trust, drive higher click-through rates, and measure success with precision.
No matter for social media, email campaigns, or influencer collaborations, short URLs simplify link management and boost overall marketing efficiency.
As 2025 continues to reshape online marketing, choosing the right URL shortener is crucial for staying ahead.
Replug offers everything you need, from branded links to advanced analytics, making it the ultimate solution for professionals.
Try this amazing URL shortening tool today and advance your link management game!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I use a short URL link?
To use a short URL link:
– Select a reliable service like Replug, and paste your long URL into their input field. – The tool then generates a shortened version, which is often customizable for branding purposes. – Copy the short link and paste it into emails, social posts, or websites. – When clicked, it redirects to the original URL seamlessly.
How to use short URLs for marketing on Facebook?
On Facebook, short URLs enhance marketing by making posts cleaner and more engaging, as they avoid long, cluttered links that hinder clicks.
Use tools like Replug to shorten links, add UTM parameters for tracking, and integrate them into ads, posts, or stories.
This enables monitoring of click-through rates, audience engagement, and campaign performance through built-in analytics.
How to use short URLs for marketing on Google?
For Google marketing, particularly in Google Ads or Search Console, use short URLs from services like Replug or Google’s own Firebase Dynamic Links (for apps) to create concise, trackable links.
Append UTM tags for analytics in Google Analytics, and embed them in ad copy or search results snippets. This improves click rates and provides data on user behavior across campaigns.
How to make money from shortened URLs?
Earn from shortened URLs via pay-per-click (PPC) services like AdFly, Linkvertise, or ShrinkMe, where you shorten links and share them. Each click views a short ad, earning you a commission (typically $1-10 per 1,000 views).
Sign up, generate links, and promote them on social media or websites, but comply with platform policies to avoid bans. Payouts vary by traffic quality and geography, with thresholds around $5-10 for withdrawal.
Can URL shorteners track clicks?
Yes, most URL shorteners offer built-in click tracking, providing metrics such as total clicks, geographic locations, referral sources, and device types.
Premium plans enhance this with advanced analytics, integration with Google Analytics, and real-time data. This helps marketers optimize campaigns without needing extra tools.
What is the relationship between short URLs and social media shares?
Short URLs boost social media shares by making links more aesthetically pleasing and shareable, fitting character limits on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), and improving click-through rates.
They correlate with higher engagement, as clean posts appear more professional and trustworthy. Analytics from shorteners also reveal share patterns, helping refine content strategies.
Should I shorten links even for email or social posts?
Yes, shortening links for emails and social posts is recommended to enhance readability, track engagement, and fit character limits, especially on mobile devices.
It prevents long URLs from breaking layouts or appearing spammy, while providing analytics on opens and clicks. However, use branded URL shorteners like Replug to build trust and avoid generic ones that might raise security concerns.
What are some of the most common challenges marketers face when using shortlinks?
Marketers often struggle with link trustworthiness, as shortened URLs can conceal malicious content, resulting in lower click rates or platform flags. Analytics accuracy can vary, with issues like bot traffic inflating metrics or service downtime causing redirect failures.
Additionally, dependency on third-party shorteners risks data privacy breaches or sudden policy changes that could affect campaigns.
Most marketers prioritize email, social, and ads when designing their digital marketing campaigns. They highly underestimate SMS marketing probably due to the advent of apps like WhatsApp, WeChat, Viber, Kik, BOTIM, and others.
However, the reality is that SMS marketing hasn’t become irrelevant at all. In fact, a study shows that 65% of global mobile subscribers communicate via text messages.
A core reason why SMS marketing, especially for text invitations, can turn things around for any brand or individual is the effective use of SMS link previews.
Find out what an SMS link preview is before your competitors take the edge over you.
Understanding SMS link previews
An SMS link preview is a preview snippet that pops up in the text message and showcases the featured image and topic of the article or web page right in the SMS, making it more appealing and clickable.
Simply put, it’s the enhanced version of a link sent in a text message that displays the link’s title, image, and (sometimes) the image.
It’s called SMS link preview because it provides a preview to the receiver before this person opens the link. Not only does it provide a sneak peek into the content, but it also adds curiosity to the receiver’s mind.
Boost ROI with branded URLs!
Enhance your marketing campaigns by creating shareable, trackable, and fully multi-purpose
customizable branded URLs.
SMS links are widely used in SMS marketing campaigns, but most marketers still take them for granted.
So, here are some benefits of using SMS link previews as a reminder to make the most of your SMS marketing campaigns:
1. Helps drive website traffic through text messages
One reason brands and marketers send out links in text messages is to drive website traffic to their sales pages, blog posts, or other URLs. SMS link previews can entice SMS receivers to click through and visit the website.
SMS marketing has become an integral part of digital marketing. Therefore, SMS links are crucial for the success of any SMS marketing campaign. SMS link previews make links more noticeable and clickable, enabling SMS marketing campaigns to achieve better results.
3. Gives a sneak peek into the content
A little peek into the content makes it easier for the receiver to check it out. Optimizing the website pages and blog posts to showcase SMS link previews makes a huge difference.
Let’s be honest: a hyperlink with text in an SMS looks quite shady, even if a family member or friend sends it. One of the benefits of having SMS link previews is that the SMS links appear cleaner and less-spammy. Above all, the receivers can open them with some confidence.
Indeed, sometimes short URLs don’t look trustworthy, especially if an unknown person sends them. Most marketers use short links in SMS and email marketing to track clickability, open rate, and reach. However, when an SMS link preview pops up, it adds credibility to the message.
A complete link management solution
for marketing professionals & agencies.
Try Replug for free
Can you curate the SMS link preview image and text?
When sharing links via SMS, having an eye-catching preview image and compelling text can significantly enhance engagement.
To make it happen, one needs to utilize a link preview tool such as Replug. This all-in-one link management platform makes it easy to customize these previews, ensuring your messages stand out.
Here’s how you can create an effective SMS link preview using Replug.
Maximize marketing ROI
by transforming ordinary URLs into branded short links that convert.
Try Replug for free
Step no 01
Go to Replug Home and locate the “Quickly shorten your link” bar. Paste the URL you want to share and press Enter.
Step no 02
You’ll be redirected to a page where you can customize your SMS link preview. Here, you can password-protect your links, add expiry dates to them, add traffic routing rules to them, and much more.
Step no 03
Once you input the link, Replug will automatically fetch the meta details, such as title, description, and thumbnail image. But if you want to customize the details even more, you can:
Title: You can customize the title of your SMS link preview by simply typing in your preferred text in the “Title” field.
Description: Adjust the description by writing a more engaging or relevant summary of your link in the “Description” field.
Image: Upload a custom image to change the thumbnail. Make sure it’s eye-catching and relevant to your content.
Replug automatically generates a shortened URL, making it SMS-friendly. Short links are easier to share and fit better in text messages.
Step no 05
Use the preview feature to see how your link will appear when shared via SMS. Ensure the image and text are displaying correctly.
It’s a good idea to send yourself a test SMS to see how the link appears on different devices.
Step no 06
Once you are satisfied with the preview, click “Save.” Then, share the link through your preferred SMS platform. The enhanced preview will engage your audience and drive more clicks.
Best practices when creating SMS link previews
Before you hop on your favorite link converter for generating short URLs or optimizing your website URLs for SMS link previews, read the following best practices for using SMS link previews:
1. Keep it concise
SMS messages have character limits, so keep your link previews brief and to the point. Use clear, compelling language to entice users to click without overwhelming them with information.
2. Test across devices
Link previews can look different on various devices and messaging apps. Test how your previews appear on other platforms to ensure they maintain visual appeal and functionality, and adjust your metadata if necessary for optimal display.
3. Use high-quality, beautiful images in the content
Using colorful, high-resolution images in SMS link previews is essential for quickly capturing readers’ attention and creating a visually appealing experience. Choose images that convey the essence of your message, enticing recipients to click on the link.
An attractive, eye-catching image can significantly enhance engagement, making the preview more inviting and transforming the URL snippet in the SMS into an irresistible opportunity for the recipient.
A complete link management solution
for marketing professionals & agencies.
Try Replug for free
4. Keep the optimal image sizes in mind when creating images
It’s essential to create images that are readable by the devices. The optimal image sizes should be considered when creating images for blog posts or landing pages.
Not only does it allow images to display correctly across various devices and platforms, but it also impacts the SMS marketing campaign. Properly sized images help maintain the visual integrity of the link preview.
Difference Between Link Previews and OG Tags
When sharing links across social media, messaging apps, or websites, you may notice that certain details like images, titles, and descriptions automatically appear. These elements come together in what we call link previews.
However, what many may not realize is that the content displayed in these previews is controlled behind the scenes by something called OG tags (Open Graph tags).
Understanding the difference between link previews and OG tags can help website owners and marketers optimize how their content is shared online. Let’s break down these two concepts.
Feature
Link Previews
OG Tags (Open Graph Tags)
Definition
A visual snippet displayed when a URL is shared on social platforms or messaging apps.
HTML meta tags that control what content appears in the link preview.
Purpose
To give users a quick overview of the content and entice them to click the link.
To control and customize how content appears when shared on social media.
Visibility
Visible to users on social media and messaging platforms.
Hidden in the website’s HTML code; only visible to social platforms.
Customiz-ation
Generated automatically based on webpage content. Limited customization without OG tags.
Provides full control over title, image, description, and URL in the preview.
Control
Platforms decide what content appears in the preview based on available metadata.
Website owners can define exactly what content appears in the preview.
Common elements
Title, description, image (if available), URL.
Title, description, image, URL — all customizable via OG tags.
Role in SEO
Indirect impact, as well-crafted previews can increase click-through rates (CTR).
Can indirectly boost SEO by making links more appealing and clickable.
Impleme-ntation
Automatic; platforms extract information from the webpage.
Requires adding specific OG meta tags to the HTML of the webpage.
Use case
When sharing URLs on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.
Best for ensuring consistent branding and accurate display of content across platforms.
Leveraging open graph (OG) tags
OG tags are essential tools for controlling how the content is displayed when sent in a text message or shared on social media platforms.
The idea is to strategically implement these tags to ensure that the links turn out to be visually appealing and attractive to the recipient. Moreover, these effects can significantly improve click-through rates and engagement.
Let’s decode open graph tags and learn more about them:
The basic OG tags:
og:title
It specifies the title of the content.
og:url
It showcases the canonical URL of the page
og:image
It defines the image that will appear with the shared link
og:type
It clarifies the type of object being shared, such as website, article, etc.
og:description
It provides a brief description of the page
How to leverage OG tags?
Digital marketers and conversion optimization experts strive to discover new ways to increase engagement, drive website traffic, improve click-through rates, and make more money.
It doesn’t matter whether it’s a new trick to get new eyeballs around your content on social media or make your SMS preview links look more attractive.
Here are three ways to leverage OG tags:
1. Enhancing social media optimization
Social media content is vital to modern-day digital marketing. To maximize the impact of your OG tags on social media content performance, tailor them specifically for the social media platforms where your audience is most active.
Facebook, Twitter (X) and LinkedIn are the major social media platforms that rely on OG tags for link previews. Influencers and experts pay attention to OG tags to ensure that their article links generate previews when shared across social media.
By optimizing the OG tags for these platforms, social media users make sure that the content is presented in the best manner possible, which increases the chance of attracting more shares, comments, and likes.
Have you ever heard of Google Discover? It’s a content discovery platform from Google that displays top news across multiple categories and is available to Android users. It’s accessed through the Chrome browser on the Android phones. Google Discovers picks up the content from the websites that are schema-optimized and publishes high-quality content.
Similarly, OG tags not only improve the visual appeal of your shared links but also contribute to better SEO performance. Search engines keep an eye out on the websites that are wildly popular on social media, and often end up rewarding them through SEO rankings.
It’s safe to assume that attractive and well-optimized previews are more likely to be clicked and shared, leading to increased traffic and visibility for your website.
3. Fine-tuning the SMS link previews
Last but not least, it’s the effect on the SMS link previews. One of the best ways to leverage OG tags is to carve out a strategy for fine-tuning your SMS link preview.
Open Graph Protocol massively impacts the SMS link previews of the websites and blog URLs if implemented correctly. SMS is still a powerful communication medium despite the popularity of various chat apps like WhatsApp, WeChat, Viber, Kik, and others.
Optimizing your SMS link previews can trigger new opportunities no matter what industry you belong to. So, don’t shy away from putting together a solid strategy for optimizing your websites or blogs for SMS link previews.
So, these are three ways to leverage OG tags. The purpose of this strategy is to ensure that website titles, headlines, descriptions, and URLs pop up when shared across multiple devices and platforms.
Final thoughts
SMS link previews may not be the talk of the digital marketing world, but they’re still relevant to online marketing.
Since it directly impacts click-through rate, conversion, and engagement of text messages, the concept is gaining popularity day by day.
We tried to keep it simple yet meaningful for social media influencers, brands, bloggers, entrepreneurs, and publishers who haven’t had a chance to find out about the SMS link previews before.
The next time you send or receive a URL in the SMS, you’ll notice whether or not it generated the link preview – if you do, then all the effort that went into writing, editing, and publishing this piece of content is worth it.
FAQs about SMS link previews
Here are some of the frequently asked questions about SMS link previews:
What is an SMS short link?
An SMS short link refers to the shortened URL that is used in text messages to avoid cluttering and spammy looks. Moreover, users can track clickability on the short, branded URLs. Check out this URL shortener for more information.
Can SMS have links?
SMS messages can include links within their body. However, it is important to ensure that URLs contain “http://” or “https://” along with a valid domain extension, such as .com or .net, to function properly. Additionally, in some cases, placing the links at the beginning or end of the text message can enhance clickability.
What is a text link?
A text link is a hyperlinked text that is used to drive website visitors from one section/page to another. The text links are also used as the replacement for the image call-to-actions. However, in the SEO world, a text link can either be a backlink (pointing to another website) or an internal link (pointing to another page of the same website).
What are link previews in text messages?
The link previews are the link snippets that appear on social media platforms and messaging apps when a blog post link or a website URL is shared with the public or a friend in private. It mostly contains the image, title, description, and URL of the page.
How to create a link preview in your SMS message?
To create a link in your SMS message, one be sharing the website that has already been optimized for link previews. On the other hand, the receiver of the text message must be using any of the recently released phones. To make it work on older Android phones, the user must have a Google Message app installed that can create link previews. Moreover, iOS users must have iOS 10 or later versions to be able to enjoy the link previews.
Links are a vital component of the internet marketing. Links (or URLs) are like vessels that drive bots and visitors from page to page or website to website.
In the SEO world, links are either inbound (backlinks) or outbound (external) links. Whereas, a link that internally connects a page to another page from the same site is called an internal link.
However, the topic “link preview” isn’t directly connected to SEO, but it does play a role somehow. If you’re curious about what it is and how it works, then sit tight because your mind will be blown away.
A link preview refers to the preview of the link showcasing the title and image of the page before visiting the very page.
Let’s find out everything you need to know about these URL previews.
What is a rich link preview?
A rich link previewrefers to the link that looks ahead to pull back useful information from the URL and creates a preview of the destination URL page to display it to the end user.
Usually, when a user either hovers the cursor on the rich link or clicks on such a link, it immediately displays the pulled information about the destination URL.
As far as the formatting of the rich link preview is concerned, it usually displays the title, image, and description of the page.
There are several link management tools available on the market that create different types of rich link previews – we’ll discuss some of them later in the article.
How does a link preview work?
The way link preview works is that it scans the destination link and captures the title, description, and image to display all the collected information to the user.
This process usually takes a screenshot of the destination URL or the homepage of the website along with some text from either the page or the meta description of the page. Everything in the link preview process is automated and happens in a split second.
Every social media platform or link management tool handles link previews differently; usually, link previews are generated by creating a copy of the destination URL and saving the information on the server to display when it’s required.
8 major advantages of a link preview
The link preview is a game-changer – no wonder top social media platforms are utilizing this tactic. Let’s discuss some of the benefits of using link previews:
Improve user engagement: Link previews offer a quick glimpse of the content, including an image, title, and short description, which makes it more attractive and click-worthy. It entices the readers to check it out and engage with the content by clicking on the link, leading to higher interaction rates.
Build trustworthiness and authority: When users see the link preview, they can better assess whether the link is legitimate or not. The link preview generator ensures that readers get an idea of what to expect from this piece of content. Not only does it reduce the chances of users clicking on potentially harmful or misleading links, but it also increases their trust in the shared content.
Better contextual understanding: URL previews are very effective in conveying the message as they provide website visitors with a brief overview of the content, allowing them to quickly understand the context of the shared link. As a result, the shared content on social media or messaging apps becomes more relevant and clear, leading to a better user experience.
Increased click-through rates: The click-through rate is the percentage of the visitors that click on the link divided by the number of visitors who see the link. A creative and well-designed link preview can catch a user’s attention more effectively than a simple text link. The combination of a good title and a compelling image often results in higher click-through rates as users are more likely to click on relevant and useful content.
Visual appeal and attractiveness: Attractive website previews enhance the visual appeal of shared content by incorporating images, titles, and descriptions. Not only does it make shared content more attractive for the audience, but it also helps content stand out from the crowd.
Consistency across platforms: One of the advantages of link previews is that they ensure that content is displayed consistently across different social media and messaging platforms. This uniformity maintains the integrity of the content website and makes it easily recognizable to users, regardless of the platform they’re using.
Time-saving capability: Time is one of the greatest assets in anyone’s lifetime. Brands and tools that save users time and resources usually never fail. Link previews help users assess the value of a link by viewing its preview, without needing to click through to see the full version of the content. It makes it easier for users to engage with relevant content while filtering out what doesn’t interest them.
Boosts SEO performance: One of the aspects of SEO is engagement. Search engines heavily rely on clickability and engagement. Therefore, link previews contribute to better search engine optimization (SEO) by encouraging more clicks and engagement. All major search engines interpret these user interactions as a sign of valuable content, which leads to increased content visibility and ranking in the SERP.
Which platforms support link previews?
You’re probably wondering what social media platforms support link previews. Well, there are several social media platforms and messaging apps that allow link previews. Here are four of these platforms that are worth mentioning:
1. Facebook
Facebook is the top-tier social media platform with over 3 billion monthly active users. To create the link preview, Facebook utilizes the Open Graph Markup to pull the title, image, and description of the link. The OG tags that come into play include og:title, og:image, og:url, and og:description.
Moreover, Facebook could also try to fill in the blanks if the open graph is unable to fetch the required data. To preview the link, Facebook provides a Sharing debugger tool to help users see how the link preview would appear on Facebook.
2. X (formerly Twitter)
X (formerly Twitter) also allows link previews. However, the only caveat is that it only allows link previews’ of the websites that have Twitter Cards enabled on their back end. Most content management systems, such as WordPress, Shopify, and Magento have extensions for Twitter cards, enabling users to implement link previews for the websites.
Twitter Cards (or X Cards) is the Facebook Open Graph equivalent for the X platform. X provides a developer’s guide to implementing and troubleshooting Twitter cards for users. Moreover, users can validate the Twitter card by providing the link to the X’s card validator.
3. LinkedIn
LinkedIn also pulls the data from the link to create and present the link preview – it usually displays the image, title, URL, and description.
Furthermore, LinkedIn offers a post inspector tool that allows users to check the link preview before sharing on the platform. It gives you an idea of how the link would appear on LinkedIn, allowing users to debug any potential errors in the code.
4. Whatsapp
WhatsApp is one of the most popular chat and messaging apps that competes with Facebook’s Messenger, WeChat, Kik, BOTIM, Viber, and others.
WhatsApp creates link previews when the links are sent via chat or shared via status. It tries to maximize the user experience by displaying the link preview, depending on other factors, such as the availability of the elements, internet speed, and quality of the source.
Facebook provided some guidelines for users to optimize their websites for link previews on WhatsApp. Failing to meet the requirements would result in no link previews when the links are shared.
These are some of the popular social media platforms and chat apps that support link previews and can help maximize reach, clickability, and conversion.
What role do algorithms and AI play in link previews?
Link previews have become significantly important over the years. The social media platform’s algorithms and AI do have a role in the identification and implementation of link previews. Let’s take a quick look at how link previews go about in today’s world where platforms continue to evolve:
The role of AI in link previews
AI-generated link previews aren’t the innovation of the future – in fact, AI-generated link previews are very much real and they now exist. Believe it or not, brands and influencers are making the most of their campaigns.
Techcrunchreported in 2023 that Summari has reportedly pivoted toward AI-generated link previews.
Essentially, the role of AI in link previews can’t be denied. With the infusion of AI-powered tools across the tech and IT industries, it’s no surprise that link previewers are capitalizing on AI to dominate and improve their services.
The role of algorithms in link previews
The algorithm is that gray area that seems a little unpredictable in the online marketing world. Both social media platforms and search engines are known for updating their algorithms from time to time.
The purpose of such algorithms is to improve user experience and overall performance. However, the reason these algorithms become the talk of the town is because they affect the reach, visibility, views, and clicks of the content across the platform.
It’s quite possible that someday social media platforms roll out algorithm updates that shatter the way of creating link previews or worse the idea of link previews. Even though, it looks highly unlikely, still there are no guarantees.
Customize a link preview using Replug
Replug is a brilliant link management platform that offers a combo of several free tools and generators for the users. One of them is a free link preview generator. It comes in handy when inspecting and analyzing the link preview.
Didn’t like the default link preview of the URL? Well, it allows users to alter the link previews through the customization features. The users can add an image, title, and description.
Here’s how you can create or customize a link preview using this Replug’s tool:
Open the link preview generator from Replug.
Type in the URL of the website or blog post to generate the link preview.
Check out the default link preview; if it requires customization, then scroll down to the section underneath the link preview window. You’ll see the customization section.
Upload the appropriate image to be added as the featured image.
Enter the suitable title and description and hit the get code button to get the meta tags.
Voila! Your link preview is ready. Check it out!
Frequently asked questions
Let’s take a look at some of the commonly asked questions:
What are the link previews in text messages?
Link previews are the snippets that appear with the link and display the image, page title, and the URL in the text message. Link previews are usually when a sender sends a website URL or blog post link in the text message.
What is the link preview in the email?
A link preview in an email refers to the link that comes in the email message and displays a rich link preview containing the image, title, and URL. It may be specific to a certain email software/platform.
How do I check if a link is safe?
One of the best practices for dealing with links or URLs in emails or text messaging is to avoid clicking on the links unless you’re sure about the authenticity of the link. Moreover, to be on the safe side, always install an anti-virus app or software on your device.
What does a safe link look like?
A safe link isn’t long or clunky with loads of codes and parameters. Moreover, it won’t be popping up a million pages upon clicking. Similarly, the domain would be authentic, secured, and active.
Some website owners and brands utilize short URLs for social media marketing. However, they opt for short, custom domains to ensure integrity and authenticity. They make sure that the audience easily recognizes their custom domains.
Check out Replug – it’s an excellent link management software for URL shortening, generating brandable short URLs, URL tracking, deep linking, A/B testing, and other URL services.
Can link previews be displayed on mobile devices?
Link previews can be displayed on both iOS and Android mobile devices unless they are not old models. It’s been learned that link previews work easily on all iOS versions after iOS 10. Similarly, Android users with older phones need the Google Message app to be able to activate link previews.
Want to know the secret to creating text links that people can’t resist clicking? Read on to discover the strategies that work.
This article will explore strategies for creating high-performing text links that deliver tangible results for your business.
Here you will find tools to create text links, tips, benefits, and much more regarding text links. Let’s not waste any more time and get you started.
What are text links?
Text links are interactive text elements that take users to a different destination or resource when clicked, which can be within the same page or on another page.
Besides that, these links are often highlighted and underlined to make their clickable nature obvious.
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Why are text links important?
Below are some of the major benefits that highlight the importance of text links;
Helps you get more traffic: Text links guide visitors to different parts of your site, potentially increasing the number of people who find and explore your content.
Highlights popular content: Monitoring which links get clicked helps you understand what interests your audience most.
SEO benefits: Search engines crawl and index pages using text links, influencing your site’s ranking.
User experience: Thoughtfully placed text links make it easier for users to navigate and find valuable content.
Build trust: Backlinks from other trusted websites can make your website look more reliable. Knowing how to find backlinks and tracking them is crucial for improving your website’s credibility and authority, as sometimes you can get backlinks from low-quality website as well.
Common text link errors to avoid for better engagement and SEO
Avoid these pitfalls to optimize your website’s performance:
Mistake
Description
Ignoring anchor text
Descriptive anchor text improves search visibility and user understanding. Don’t use generic terms like “click here.”
Over-optimizing anchor text
Keyword stuffing in anchor text can harm your rankings. Maintain a natural balance.
Neglecting internal linking
Connect related content within your website for better navigation and SEO benefits.
Broken links
Broken links frustrate users and damage your website’s credibility. Regularly check and fix them.
Poor link placement
Consider where you place links. A call-to-action should be prominent, while informational links can be less conspicuous.
How can i create and track a text link?
The easiest way to create and manage text links is by using a URL shortener free tool.
Replugstands out with its comprehensive link management features, which allow users to shorten and customize links easily.
We recommend Replug, particularly for brands, agencies, and marketers, as it offers high-end features for customization, performance tracking, and insights—all in one platform. It’s an excellent tool for creating professional links and understanding their effectiveness.
Here’s how you can generate and track a text link with Replug:
Choose or create a campaign: On your dashboard, select an existing campaign or set up a new one.
Shorten your URL: Enter the URL you want to shorten in the “URL to shorten” section under your chosen campaign, and click “Create.”
Customize your link: After shortening, you can add a custom alias by clicking the edit icon. This makes your link more memorable and shareable.
Copy and use: Copy the newly generated link, hit the update button to save changes, and you’re all set.
Note: In HTML, Use the shortened URL as the ` href ` value within an ` <a> ` tag, and specify the anchor text.
Track performance: Return to your Replug dashboard to monitor your link’s performance, including click-through rates and other useful analytics.
In summary, while Replug focuses on shortening and managing your URLs, adding hypertext is done through the context where you’re using the URL, such as in HTML code or within content editors.
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by transforming ordinary URLs into branded short links that convert.
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Best practices to follow when creating text links
Clear and relevant anchor text: The text used for the link should accurately describe the destination page. For instance, “Learn more about our products” is better than “Click here.”
Keyword optimization: Incorporate relevant keywords into your anchor text to improve search engine visibility. However, avoid keyword stuffing.
Link placement: Consider where the link is placed within your content. A call-to-action link should be prominent, while links for additional information might be less conspicuous.
Link appearance: Customize the link’s appearance (color, font, underline) to match your website’s design and make it stand out.
Regularly monitor and analyze data: Identify trends and optimize your links accordingly.
Experiment with different anchor texts and link placements: To find what works best for your audience.
Additional tips
Internal linking: Link to relevant pages within your website to improve navigation and SEO.
External linking: Link to authoritative external sources to establish credibility.
Mobile optimization: Ensure your links are easy to click on mobile devices.
Link attribution: Accurately attribute link clicks to the correct marketing channels.
Conclusion
Creating and tracking effective hyperlinks is a cornerstone of successful online marketing. By following the strategies outlined in this guide, you can enhance user experience, boost SEO, and drive conversions. Remember, the key to success lies in crafting clear, relevant, and visually appealing links that align with your audience’s needs. Continuously monitor and analyze your text link performance to refine your approach and maximize results.
FAQs on text links
Can I use too many text links on a page?
Yes, excessive use of text links can distract users and negatively impact readability. Aim for a balance that enhances content without overwhelming visitors.
How often should I update my text links?
Review your links regularly to ensure they remain accurate and relevant. Update broken links promptly, and consider refreshing anchor text for better SEO.
How can I add an anchor link to my URL?
Add an anchor by including an id attribute in the target element, and then use #id in your hyperlink. For example: Go to Section 1.
What are the three types of hyperlinks?
The three types are hyperlinks, internal links (to the same site), external links (to other sites), and anchor links (to specific sections within the same page).
What is the ideal length for anchor text?
There’s no strict rule for anchor text length. Focus on clarity and relevance. Generally, concise anchor text is preferred.
Should I use the same anchor text for multiple links?
While it’s not harmful to occasionally use the same anchor text, varying it can improve SEO and user experience.
Have you ever wondered what a URL is? We bet most of you haven’t given it a thought.
Well, you’re not alone in this – here’s why:
A lot of digital marketers, bloggers, influencers, and SEO rave about URL structure, types, and strategies, but the majority of them don’t explain the basics.
If you’re a tad curious about the fundamentals of a URL, don’t sweat it because we’ve got your back.
This piece is going to cover everything you need to know about URL types, structures, and SEO aspects of URLs.
Let’s dig deeper into the basics of a URL and try to understand the use of URLs in the digital marketing realm.
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Enhance your marketing campaigns by creating shareable, trackable, and fully multi-purpose
customizable branded URLs.
URL is an abbreviation for uniform resource locator. It’s a web address of a resource on the internet. It was first introduced in 1994 and has grown tremendously ever since. Now, the World Wide Web has evolved into a modern-day technological phenomenon.
In other words, it’s the unique location of a website on the web server that makes accessibility to the website content easier for the end users.
Since the internet is the collection of data servers connected through the web, URL is the address of a specific website or webpage on the internet.
For instance, when a company wants their prospects and customers to check out their information online, they provide the website URL to access their website. That’s how they connect with their audience on the internet.
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Types of a URL
It’s vital to know about the types of URLs before going further deep into the topic. There are two main types of URLs:
1. Absolute URL
An absolute URL is a type of URL that contains a complete web address including the domain name and the directory or page path, beginning with a protocol such as “http://” and providing all necessary details for locating a resource on the web.
2. Relative URL
A relative URL is a web address that only includes the path information relative to the current location, excluding the domain name. Such URLs are used to reference resources within the same domain, indicating their location based on the current context.
There are several parts in a URL that users must know. However, the average user has no idea about the names of these parts of the URL. Let’s break them down and make them digestible for everyone.
Here are the parts of a URL:
i. Scheme
The scheme or protocol in a URL helps guide search engines on the selection of communication protocol to utilize when accessing the webpage.
Typically, HTTPS is the most common protocol; it stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure. It prompts web browsers to encode page data, such as personal details, enhancing security against cyber threats.
A subdomain is a prefix added to your main domain. For instance if the main domain is “replug.io” then the sub-domain will be something like “blog.replug.io”. It helps separate different sections of a large website, allowing for targeted SEO and scalable hosting.
However, search engines treat subdomains as separate sites, which can dilute SEO efforts.
Additionally, subdomains can confuse users if the design varies and can increase management complexity.
Second-level domain or domain is the name of the website.
For instance, if https://replug.io is the domain, then the main keyword replug is the second-level domain.
Normally, it’s the brand name or website name that companies use for the URL. It represents the company and helps create identity, branding, and reputation.
iv. Top-level domain
The top-level domain is the extension of the URL. A top-level domain (TLD) is the last segment of a domain name, such as .com, .org, or .net.
Examples of TLDs include:
.com (commercial)
.org (organization)
.net (network)
.edu (education)
.gov (government)
.co (company)
.info (information)
.biz (business)
There are also country-specific or category specific TLDs. Often the domain extension represents the brand behind the URL and helps differentiate it from the competitors.
v. Sub-directory
The sub-directory is the section of the URL that comes right after the TLD extension. It’s usually written after the TLD and a forward slash.
Don’t worry about the multiple sub-directories in some cases. A lot of brands use different combinations of permalinks that may include additional parameters, such as category, date, author name, etc.
Best practices for structuring URLs
Well-structured URLs can improve user experience, search engine ranking, and shareability. Here are the best practices for creating effective URLs:
1. Use descriptive & relevant keywords
Include keywords: Incorporate relevant keywords that reflect the content of the page. This helps search engines understand the page’s topic.
Avoid keyword stuffing: Overloading the URL with too many keywords can look spammy and hurt SEO.
2. Keep it short & simple
Concise URLs: Aim for URLs that are easy to read and remember. Ideally, they should be no longer than 50-60 characters.
Avoid unnecessary words: Remove stop words like “and,” “the,” and “of” unless they are necessary for readability.
Pro tip on URLs:
One of the SEO best practices anyone can follow is to keep the URL domain consistent and as short as possible.
Get your hands on a reputable, high-quality URL shortener to make your URLs shorter. Shortening the URLs is a great way to make the long and cluttered URLs look better regardless of the platform.
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3. Use hyphens to separate Words
Hyphens over underscores: Use hyphens (e.g., example.com/this-is-a-url) instead of underscores (e.g., example.com/this_is_a_url). Search engines recognize hyphens as word separators, but not underscores.
4. Keep it lowercase
Lowercase URLs: Always use lowercase letters in URLs to avoid confusion and potential duplicate content issues, as some servers treat URLs with different cases as separate pages.
5. Avoid special characters & parameters
Clean URLs: Stick to letters, numbers, and hyphens. Avoid special characters like &, %, $, and spaces, which can cause issues with readability and SEO.
Minimize parameters: If using query parameters (e.g., ?id=123), keep them to a minimum, as they can complicate URL structure and tracking.
Hierarchical structure: Organize URLs to reflect the site’s structure and content hierarchy.
Breadcrumbs: Ensure the URL path provides a clear breadcrumb trail for users and search engines.
7. Use HTTPS
Secure URLs: Ensure all URLs use HTTPS instead of HTTP. HTTPS is a ranking factor and assures users that the site is secure.
8. Avoid dynamic URLs
Static URLs: Prefer static URLs (e.g., example.com/product-name) over dynamic URLs with long strings of parameters (e.g., example.com/index.php?id=123&session=abc). Static URLs are cleaner and more user-friendly.
Well, many SAAS tools, blogs, and online stores have messy URLs. Not only do they look bad, but they also negatively impact the SEO performance of the site.
SEO is a multi-dimensional phenomenon, as it revolves around a bunch of website elements. User experience plays a key role in impacting the quality of a website. When users notice clean and beautiful links across the website, it helps them build trust in the site. Therefore, it encourages them to click the link and spend more time, consume more content, and eventually become a customer.
Stick to the main keywords; experiment with using only two to four words in the blog post URL.
Try to avoid adding unnecessary words, numbers, and prepositions in the blog post URLs.
A reliable link shortener helps you create clean, trackable URLs that enhance both user experience and campaign performance.
A huge benefit of using a reputable link management tool in your digital marketing campaigns is that you can always track the link performance.
Lastly, cleaning up the clunky URLs is a no-brainer. It’s good advice for website owners to implement any day.
Sharing long and clunky URLs on social media means shooting yourself in the foot – it looks like a rookie mistake. URLs are crucial to your online marketing – and so is URL shortening. When it comes to online marketing, it’s a must-do thing.
Frequently asked questions
Let’s answer some of the burning questions about the URLs:
How to get a URL?
A URL is a web address of a domain that comes with the domain set up in the web hosting account. When a user integrates a domain with the web hosting account and the DNS propagation gets completed, the domain gets active and the user can create as many pages as needed. Once pages are created, the URLs come with those web pages.
How do I find my URL?
To find your URL, all you need is to look at the web address bar of your web browser. However, you can also check out the Domains section of your web hosting account to see how many active domains you have on your web hosting account.
What is the difference between URL & URI?
A URL is an abbreviation of a uniform resource locator. In other words, it’s the address of the website that is used to access and use it. On the other hand, URI stands for uniform resource identifier; it’s a system used to identify resources in XML, tag library files, and other system files.
How to read a URL?
A URL is read from left to right. Most web browsers show protocol, such as http or https at the beginning of the URL followed by the colon and the two slashes. However, some web browsers don’t showcase the above-mentioned parts. The next part after the protocol and before the forward slash is the domain name – a domain name ends with a tld, such as .com or any other.
Short or Long URLs: which are better?
There is no definite answer to this question. Both types of URLs are used in the digital marketing and SEO fields. However, if a URL shortener doesn’t have a tracking feature, then the short URLs created with it aren’t worth using due to the lack of trackability. On the other hand, sometimes, long URLs look clunky and spammy, so shortening them with a high-quality URL shortener is the way to go.
What is a URL shortener?
A URL shortener is a tool that trims down long and hefty URLs and converts them into short and sweet URLs that are easy to use, can be shared on social media, and are possible to track.
Have you ever struggled to remember a website address because it was a mess of letters and numbers?
Yikes!
Not only do complex URLs frustrate users, but they can also affect your website’s search engine ranking (SEO).
That’s why your branded URLs should be concise, and SEO-friendly, besides that they should also give users a hint about what to expect on the other side of the click.
In this blog post, we’ll explore 7 best practices for creating user-friendly URLs that will keep your visitors happy and coming back for more! Let’s get started.
What is a friendly URL?
A friendly URL, also known as a clean URL or a semantic URL, is easy to understand, concludes relevant keywords, and showcases the page content. Unlike complex URLs, friendly URLs are human-readable and contribute to a positive user experience.
How do you create friendly URLs?
Maximize marketing ROI
by transforming ordinary URLs into branded short links that convert.
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One can create friendly URLs by using URL-shortening tools. These tools allow you to transform complex URLs into shorter, more manageable links that are also SEO-friendly. While basic shortening is helpful, an advanced link shortener offers a wider range of functionalities, such as click tracking, adding retargeting pixels, deep links, A/B testing, link rotator, bio-links, custom CTAs, etc.
Know that first impressions matter and this includes the URLs on your website. Here are some of the basic practices regarding user-friendly URLs you should know. Let’s start
1. Keep it short & sweet
Short URLs are not only aesthetically pleasing but also easier to remember and share. When creating user-friendly URLs, remove unnecessary words and characters, focusing on conveying the essence of the content concisely.
2. Use hyphens over underscores
When separating words in a URL, opt for hyphens instead of underscores. Search engines like Google treat hyphens as space, making it easier for them to interpret individual words. Underscores, on the other hand, may be misconstrued as a single word, potentially impacting the SEO value of your URL.
Example:
3. Steer clear of special characters
To ensure compatibility across various browsers and platforms, it’s advisable to avoid special characters in your URLs. Stick to alphanumeric characters and hyphens to prevent any potential issues with rendering or linking.
4. Utilize descriptive headings
Incorporating descriptive headings into your URL structure not only aids users in understanding the content but also provides search engines with valuable information. Each heading should succinctly summarize the section’s content, enhancing both user experience and SEO.
A user-friendly URL should be easily readable by humans. Avoid random characters or excessive numbers. Instead, opt for clear, readable words that convey the nature of the content. This not only benefits users but also contributes to the search engine’s ability to interpret and rank your pages accurately.
6. Establish a logical hierarchy
Organize your URLs in a logical hierarchy that showcases the structure of your website. This not only aids users in navigating your site but also assists search engines in understanding the relationships between different pages. A clear hierarchy contributes to a more organized and SEO-friendly website structure.
Example:
7. Leverage canonical URLs
Canonicalization is another aspect of SEO, and implementing canonical URLs helps avoid duplicate content issues. Specify the preferred version of a page by using canonical tags, signaling to search engines which URL should be considered the authoritative source.
Search engines, such as Google, use URLs to understand the content and context of a webpage. SEO-friendly URLs with relevant keywords can positively impact your website’s visibility and ranking in search engine results pages (SERPs).
Shareability
SEO-friendly URLs are more shareable on social media and other platforms. People are more likely to share links that are concise, meaningful, and convey a sense of trust. This can indirectly contribute to increased visibility and traffic.
Keyword optimization
Including relevant keywords in your URLs can contribute to your website’s SEO efforts. Search engines often consider keywords in the URL as a ranking factor, helping your page appear in relevant searches.
Credibility and trust
Clean and organized URLs can contribute to the credibility and trustworthiness of your website. Users are more likely to click on links that appear professional and relevant to their search queries.
Better click-through rates (CTR)
Clear and concise URLs can lead to higher click-through rates. When users see a URL that matches their search intent and expectations, they are more likely to click on it, contributing to improved CTR.
Mobile-friendliness
With the increasing use of mobile devices for web browsing, concise and mobile-friendly URLs become even more crucial. Short, descriptive URLs are easier to read on smaller screens and contribute to a positive mobile user experience.
Google adheres to the URL standards outlined in RFC 3986. Here are some of the best practices for when creating URLs of any type:
Simple, descriptive words in the URL.
Localized words in the URL, if applicable.
Avoid using non-ASCII characters in the URL.
Make sure to use country-specific domains.
Don’t go for unreadable, long ID numbers in the URL.
Try using hyphens and avoid underscores.
Here’s what else Google suggests:
Create a simple URL structure. Consider organizing your content so that URLs are constructed logically and in a manner that is most intelligible to humans.
Consider using a robots.txt file to block Googlebot’s access to problematic URLs. Typically, consider blocking dynamic URLs, such as URLs that generate search results, or URLs that can create infinite spaces, such as calendars. Using regular expressions in your robots.txt file can allow you to easily block large numbers of URLs.
Wherever possible, avoid the use of session IDs in URLs. Consider using cookies instead.
If upper and lower case text in a URL is treated the same by the web server, convert all text to the same case so it is easier for Google to determine that URLs reference the same page.
Whenever possible, shorten URLs by trimming unnecessary parameters.
Check your site for broken relative links.
All in all, By adopting these best practices and staying informed about Google’s recommendations, you can create a website with URLs that not only contribute to a positive user experience but also enhance your overall online presence and SEO performance.
FAQs
What is the safest URL?
The safest URL is one that begins with “https://” and has a valid SSL certificate.
What is the best tool to make an unfriendly URL into a friendly URL?
The best tool to convert an unfriendly URL into a friendly URL is Replug. It’s also a brilliant link optimization platform that helps you manage, brand, and track every link with ease.
Is HTTPS URL 100% safe?
While HTTPS URLs provide encryption, they are not 100% immune to security risks.
Can a URL be a virus?
A URL itself cannot be a virus, but it can lead to malicious websites hosting malware.
How do I create a Friendly URL?
You can create a friendly URL by using URL shortening tools.
In an era where digital security is paramount, safeguarding sensitive information is non-negotiable. One effective method to control access to confidential data is through password-protected links. Whether you’re sharing private documents, sensitive files, or exclusive content, implementing password protection adds an extra layer of security, ensuring only authorized individuals can access the content.
In this step-by-step guide, we’ll delve into creating password-protected links, empowering you to secure your data with confidence and ease.
What is a password-protected link?
A password-protected link is a web link or URL that requires a specific password to access its content. Unlike regular links, which anyone with the URL can open, password-protected links restrict access to authorized users with the correct password.
This method of access control is commonly used to safeguard sensitive information, confidential documents, or restricted content shared online. By requiring a password, individuals or organizations can control who can view or download the linked content, enhancing privacy and security.
How to create password-protected links in Replug?
Replug offers a comprehensive suite of features including password protection, link expiration, and customizable link previews. Moreover, it empowers you to personalize favicons, set up traffic routing rules, perform A/B testing, enable deep linking, and a plethora of other functionalities.
These capabilities enable you to fine-tune and tailor your links to perfection, optimizing them for your specific needs and preferences.
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Here’s how to create password-protected links using Replug
Step 1: Sign in to your Replug account or sign up for free if you’re new.
Step 2: Navigate to the main dashboard and click on “Select your Campaign.”
Note: To create a new campaign, go to “Manage” > “Campaigns.” Assign a descriptive name to your campaign that reflects the purpose or content of the URL you want to shorten.
Step 3: After selecting or creating a campaign, paste the long URL you wish to shorten into the “URL to shorten” field and click “Create.”
Step 4: Customize the short URL to align with your brand or campaign by adding a custom URL slug.
Step 5: Enable password protection by toggling the “Password protected” button. Set your desired password and optionally include a favicon image.
Step 6: Once settings are configured, click “Update” to generate your password-protected link, ready to be shared securely online.
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Benefits of using a URL shortener for password-protected links
Are you tired of sharing your password-protected content with lengthy, unwieldy links? Look no further than a URL shortener! Here’s why it’s a game-changer:
Simplicity: URL shorteners condense your long, complex links into more manageable short URLs. This simplifies the sharing process and makes it easier for both you and your recipients to handle.
Ease of sharing: With shortened links, sharing becomes effortless. Whether you’re sending an email, posting on social media, or sharing in a chat, the compact nature of shortened URLs makes them easy to share and remember.
Enhanced security: Password-protecting your links is crucial for safeguarding sensitive content. Using a reliable password manager can further streamline the process, ensuring that passwords for secure links are managed and stored safely. URL shorteners maintain this security feature, ensuring that only individuals with the correct password can access the content behind the link.
Optimized for social media: Social media platforms often impose character limits, making lengthy URLs impractical. URL shorteners solve this problem by providing compact links that fit within character constraints, enabling seamless sharing on platforms like Twitter.
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for marketing professionals & agencies.
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FAQs
What is a URL shortener?
A URL shortener is a tool that converts long URLs into shorter ones, making them easier to share and remember.
Why should I use a URL shortener for password-protected links?
Using a URL shortener for password-protected links simplifies sharing, enhances security, and ensures that only authorized individuals can access the content.
URLs are crucial to both SEO strategy and social media marketing. URL shortening isn’t just for on-page SEO and social media content sharing.
A clean, decent URL structure is one of the essentials of branding. Not only does a tidy URL structure look appealing, but it also sets your website up for success.
No wonder expert digital marketers, social media influencers, and pro-bloggers keep their URLs short and organized.
To fully comprehend the idea of utilizing short URLs for brand awareness and reputation, one must get a good grip on the fundamentals of URLs. One of these basic concepts is understanding the difference between a dynamic and static URL.
Let’s stop beating around the bush and dive deep into the topic.
What’s a dynamic URL?
A dynamic URL is a dynamically generated web page URL containing several URL parameters in the URL. These URL parameters are used to identify a data request and help retrieve data from the database.
Dynamic URLs include unique identifiers (IDs) that distinguish one piece of content from another. These IDs help the website’s server identify and retrieve specific information, such as individual products in an online store or articles on a news website.
Each URL parameter represents a specific action and performs the task assigned to it. It also assists in reporting to the analytics system in place.
Now what are these unique identifiers in a dynamic URL?
Unique identifiers in a dynamic URL are special codes or numbers used to distinguish one piece of content from another. These identifiers are typically generated dynamically and assigned to specific items, such as products in an online store, articles on a news website, or user profiles in a social media platform.
Specific URL parameters in a dynamic URL can vary depending on the website or application’s functionality. However, some common examples of specific URL parameters include:
Product IDs: Identifiers for specific products in an e-commerce store.
Search Queries: Keywords or phrases entered by users to search for specific content.
Sorting Options: Parameters that determine how content is sorted or displayed, such as by price, relevance, or popularity.
Filters: Criteria used to narrow down search results or refine content, such as category, brand, size, color, etc.
Session IDs: Unique identifiers assigned to user sessions or interactions on the website.
Page Numbers: Parameters indicating which page of paginated content is being accessed.
Tracking Codes: Parameters used for analytics and tracking purposes, such as UTM tags to track marketing campaigns.
Usually, a dynamic URL is long and hefty as compared to static URLs.Most SAAS tools, e-commerce stores, and web-based apps have dynamic URLs. However, any long URL can be shortened to make them look clean and sophisticated.
If that was too technical for you, let me explain in it in simpler terms.
Dynamic URLs include unique product IDs as parameters in the URL structure. When a customer interacts with the website, such as searching for a product or navigating to a specific category, the website’s server dynamically generates the URL based on the customer’s actions and preferences.
For example:
In an e-commerce website, each product may have a unique product ID included in its dynamic URL.
On a news website, articles may be identified by unique article IDs.
In a social media platform, user profiles may have unique user IDs appended to their profile URLs.
These unique identifiers help the website’s server retrieve and display the correct content when a dynamic URL is accessed, ensuring that users are directed to the intended webpage or resource.
What is a static URL?
A static URL is a fixed web address that does not change unless manually modified by the website owner. These URLs typically consist of straightforward paths that directly point to specific web pages or resources
A static URL represents a static website page that doesn’t involve any database or any other data source to retrieve the information. Moreover, a key aspect of a static URL is that it doesn’t change or alter any URL parameters.
A fine example of a static URL could be any page on a company’s website, such as About Us or Services.
For instance, you’re browsing an online store with different categories like Clothing, Electronics, and Home Decor. In a store with static URLs, each category would have its own fixed web address. For example, the URL for the Clothing section could be https: // storeexample.com/clothing. This URL always takes you to the Clothing section, no matter what specific items are available.
Difference between Dynamic & static URLs
Here’s a comparison table of dynamic and static URLs:
Static URLs
Dynamic URLs
Static URLs are associated with website pages with content that doesn’t change automatically or upon user’s activity
Dynamic URLs represent website pages that contains content that may change depending on the user request or other parameters, such as date, timing, version, model, etc.
These URLs don’t change when a user requests the server to open static pages, neither do the content on the page
These dynamic URLs may change upon the end user’s query, especially when the data is successfully fetched
The static URLs represent website pages that don’t have a retrievability feature, which means visitors can retrieve any data through search
Sometimes, dynamic URLs represent websites that have retrievability function built in them. Thus, the data retrieval process may alter the page’s URL.
Most static websites contain static pages and URLs that are individually built and managed. As a result, the content on the static pages don’t automatically change or updated unless they’re done by the admin
The majority sections of the dynamic website pages remain the same across all pages. However, the data derived from the search are programmatically fetched and displayed for the specific visitor. These pages aren’t built or managed individually.
One of the perks of a static URL is that it doesn’t contain URL parameters that make URLs look clunky and spammy
Most dynamic websites have long, clunky URLs as these URLs contain several URL parameters to identity page, data, category, and other credentials being requested by the user
It’s a common belief that only static URLs can be optimized for search engines – it’s not entirely true. The dynamic URLs can be made SEO-friendly by tweaking the URL strategy. However, it depends on the platform’s capabilities, SEO awareness, and customization options.
A lot of e-commerce stores optimize their product and category page URLs for SEO using SEO plugins and on-page SEO techniques.
While both static and dynamic URLs serve different purposes, it’s difficult to make a verdict without understanding the context. Undoubtedly, static URLs provide more control over customization making them easier to optimize. On the other hand, dynamic URLs usually contain parameters that might be slightly difficult to optimize, but it’s still doable.
For more clarity, let’s suppose you’re launching a quick 3-page website for some reason, then you can have three HTML-based static pages with optimized URLs. You don’t have to use a complex CMS to create just three pages.
Similarly, a well-developed Shopify e-commerce store with thousands of pages can have optimized URLs for better link management and SEO friendliness.
It comes down to how the dynamic URLs are being generated, populated, and shared across the platform.
It’s understandable that most dynamic websites don’t have a clear roadmap to optimize their URLs for search engines. Thus, these dynamic web portals end up losing ranking in the SERP to their competitors.
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Why are dynamic URLs important?
Dynamic URLs are a diversified phenomenon in the digital marketing realm. They play a key role in URL management, performance tracking, conversion analysis, and data recording.
Here are four of the many reasons why dynamic URLs are important:
1. Assist in identifying the data request
Dynamic URLs contain multiple parameters that provide servers assistance in identifying the specific data requested by users. For instance, in an e-commerce website, a dynamic URL might include parameters such as product ID, category, or discount offer – users can find the specific product while searching with ease.
2. Help retrieve data from the records
These types of URLs serve as pointers to retrieve data from records stored in databases or other data sources. Once a user request is sent to a specific resource through a dynamic URL, the server analyzes the parameters embedded in the URL and fetches the corresponding information from the database. Hence, it ensures that the data retrieval is tailored to each user’s request, enhancing the overall user experience.
3. Carry useful URL parameters for understanding
Dynamic URLs always contain parameters that record and provide valuable insights into user behavior and preferences. These parameters can include search keywords, filters, session IDs, or user-specific identifiers. Website owners get insightful information when dig deeper into their analytics. It helps website owners and managers understand user behavior, allowing them to optimize content, personalize recommendations, and improve conversion rates.
4. Enhance website functionality and user interaction
One of the reasons why dynamic URLs are important is that they contribute to enhancing website functionality and user interaction by facilitating the implementation of various features such as sorting, filtering, pagination, and session management. Most e-commerce stores have search filters that allow users to refine search results based on criteria like price range, brand, or product specifications dynamically. As a result, users can tailor their browsing experience as per their preferences, leading to improving engagement, conversion, and satisfaction.
So, don’t sleep on the opportunities that dynamic URLs have to offer in digital marketing and conversion optimization campaigns.
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How to write SEO-friendly dynamic URLs?
Well, SEO-friendly URLs simply mean the URLs that are optimized, clean, and relevant.
While it’s true that adding fluff for the sake of keyword stuffing or infusing unnecessary filters to retrieve data doesn’t help the cause, dynamic websites are a different ball game.
Always keep in mind that SEO for dynamic websites may need the same strategies as static sites, but they’re approached differently.
Let’s take a look at some of the fundamental SEO techniques that are crucial to writing SEO-friendly dynamic URLs:
1. Minimize URL parameters in the URLs
Dynamic URLs contain URL parameters depending on the actions being taken on the front end. Most dynamic websites are linked with databases and when visitors seek the information, the system retrieves the data from the database.
URL parameters add clunky codes and values that not only make the URLs look bad but also make the URLs longer than usual. SEO-friendly URLs are short and contain only relevant keywords.
Minimizing URL parameters is vital for writing SEO-optimized URLs whether they’re static or dynamic. Some SEO plugins/modules help write better SEO-friendly dynamic URLs that play a vital role in the overall SEO.
URL slug is the URL section that comes after the domain name and extension. The URL slugs are crucial for on-page SEO regardless of the website’s nature.
Not only do they matter in the SEO, but they also help in making an impact from a branding standpoint. A website with a decent link management strategy always has short and precise URLs for blog posts and pages as compared to a website that doesn’t have a URL management plan.
Most e-commerce websites and other dynamic websites try to improve their product pages’ URL slugs to make them relevant, accurate, and short.
3. Install an SEO module that optimizes URLs
URLs are an essential SEO element. No wonder every SEO expert emphasizes keeping the URLs short and user-friendly. Long and clunky URLs are a no-go.
One of the best ways to make your URLs SEO-friendly is to install the SEO plugins/modules on the website and allow the tool to rate the URL structure. URL structure has a role in the SEO score and on-page SEO. So try to improve URLs with whatever means necessary.
In fact, WordPress has a permalink feature that provides several URL slug models to the users.
Most SEO geeks suggest opting for the “post-name” slug model for WordPress blogs and websites. Moreover, WordPress also allows the creation of a slug for the categories.
4. Ensure to insert keywords in the URL slugs
Most SEO enthusiasts believe that inserting keywords into the article’s body or page’s copy is enough. However, technical SEO strategy requires adding keywords to several sections including the URL.
Undoubtedly, keywords are important when it comes to SEO. Adding keywords to the URL slugs is crucial to the on-page SEO. Make sure that you have added the most relevant yet effective keywords to the URL slug.
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Relevancy is the key to SEO no matter what you’re doing – it comes in handy when selecting keywords, inserting keywords, choosing topics, and writing a page’s copy.
One of the strategies to adopt for making website pages and blog posts SEO-friendly is to avoid adding characters, signs, and numbers from the URL slug. It’d eventually improve the relevancy of the URL.
In fact, SEO experts advise to avoid using prepositions, punctuation, and unnecessary words in the URL. Remove all the clutter and fluff to make your URLs SEO-optimized.
FAQs about static & dynamic URLs
Let’s shed some light on the commonly asked questions about static and dynamic URLs:
Static website vs dynamic website?
A static website is a simple website that doesn’t change data on the user’s request and always has a limited number of pages. On the other hand, a dynamic website retrieves the data on the user’s request and has a different URL structure as compared to static websites.
What are the dynamic parameters in URLs?
Dynamic URLs contain multiple URL parameters that seamlessly work together and help the website owner in achieving the purpose behind them. The dynamic parameters consist of several UTM parameters that are used to identify, track, and analyze URL performance or user activity on the page.
How do I use dynamic URLs?
The dynamic URLs are used just about any other URL. These URLs can be the URLs of product pages, category pages, checkout pages, or thank you pages. One can share on social media, send them to your newsletter subscribers, or even promote them via paid ad campaigns. Just make sure that you’re not making a mistake when internally linking these URLs on the website.
Are dynamic URLs bad for SEO?
While static URLs seem more SEO-friendly and clear when it comes to search engine optimization, it’s not necessary that one can’t optimize a dynamically created website page just because the URL structure is different from the static page. Most search engines now read and understand the dynamic URLs, so it shouldn’t be a major issue in SEO.
What are the pros of a dynamic URL?
Dynamic URLs allow users to dynamically retrieve or generate content based on the information or data source behind their website property. An e-commerce store runs on a database and a CMS blog retrieves data from the database – dynamic URLs are inevitable for these types of websites. So, there are several perks of using dynamic URLs in digital marketing.
What are the cons of a dynamic URL?
The URL structure seems bad, clunky, and long, in most cases. However, this can be fixed to some extent by optimizing the URLs. Moreover, longer URLs are difficult to handle, especially when you’re doing internal linking, backlink creation, and on-page SEO. On the other hand, static URLs are short, clear, and user-friendly.
Should I replace the dynamic URLs with static ones?
There is no need to replace the dynamic URLs with static ones whatsoever. Google has clarified this myth a long time ago. Read this blog post from the search engine giant. However, you can replace it if you want to. Anyway, you shouldn’t worry about replacing dynamic URLs with static URLs unless there is a compulsion for some other reason.
