Short vs. Long URLs in SEO: What Actually Works?
As with all of these important digital marketing topics, the debate over short and long URLs has been overlooked. However, it is an important one for businesses, marketers, and SEOs to consider. The length of a URL is very important for search engine optimization (SEO), branding, social media sharing, and user experience.
Knowing whether a short or long URL works best could mean the difference between getting more traffic, improving how people engage with your website, and perhaps even mastering your digital strategy as businesses seek more online visibility.
This article looks at the good and bad of short and long URLs. It explains which one works best in different situations. It also gives some practical tips on how to choose the best type of URL format for your specific needs.
A uniform resource locator—or URL—is the address of a website. A URL is a web address that takes the user to a specific piece of content, like a file, image, video, or web page. A URL is made up of different parts. The first part is the protocol, which can be HTTP or HTTPS. The second part is the domain name, which is usually something like www.example.com. The third part is the path, which can include products.
When it comes to search engine optimization and digital marketing, URLs are more than just addresses. They affect how authoritative, visible, and user-friendly a website is. There are pros and cons to both short and very long URLs. These can affect how easy it is for visitors to find and interact with your content.
Short URLs are clear and easy to remember. They are easier to type, especially when sharing via social media, email, and messaging apps. People are more likely to click on a short URL because they are less intimidating and easier to read, copy, and paste.
For example, “www.example.com/holiday-sale” is much friendlier than a long string of unintelligible letters. Short URLs are more attractive and more likely to be clicked, which can increase the number of people who click on a link.
Short URLs are convenient, especially when it comes to applying character limits, such as Twitter. Social media posts and marketing communications can include more words and hashtags, so a short link is ideal because it is easier for users to type and therefore more likely to be shared. Short URLs also look cleaner in emails or social media posts.
Secondly, shortened URLs look more professional. For example, links that are shortened using services like Bitly or TinyURL might sound much more trustworthy than other generic domain endings. Businesses can use these services to brand their URLs, making them appear more trustworthy. For example, a business might use a URL like “bit.ly/BrandNamePromo” to enhance the perception of its brand.
Since Google and other search engines like short URLs with targeted keywords, short URLs can also help with SEO. Using keywords related to the page’s content in the URL can help improve search engine rankings. This is because it’s easier for search engines to scan shorter URLs.
This is especially true when a short URL is easy to use and has keywords that are relevant to the page’s content. This helps search engines better understand the page’s content and context.
Short URLs are better because they’re less likely to have broken links. This is especially true for URLs with fewer parameters and better composition. Broken links are more likely in long URLs that contain complex tracking codes, dynamic parameters, or session IDs, especially when users accidentally change the link.
Short URLs have many benefits, but they can also have some downsides. Sometimes, the context that helps visitors and search engines understand what is on the page is lost when the URL is too simple. Also, if a short link is not made correctly, it may seem dishonest, especially if it is sent through a third-party link-shortening service.
Long URLs are great because they’re very descriptive. Both people visiting the site and search engines benefit when a long URL is well-written and shows what the page is about. Long URLs can include information about a website’s structure and content, while short URLs often require visitors to navigate through to find the content.
For example, “www.example.com/products/healthy-snacks/gluten-free-crackers” is a perfect example of what customers may expect from the website. Long URLs are best for eCommerce websites, blogs, and websites with lots of content. This is because long URLs improve the user experience and help with SEO.
If it is long and contains the right keywords and categories, long URLs might have more context to tell the search engine about the subject of the page. Including important phrases, like product names, categories, and services, can help make longer URLs rank higher in search results.
Long URLs usually suggest that a website is well organized. For example, the URL “www.example.com/technology/laptops/gaming-laptops” shows that the website has a category called technology, which has the items laptops and a subcategory gaming laptops.
Both short and long URLs have their own time to use in an effective digital strategy. The best choice depends on the situation.
There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to the debate between short and lengthy URLs. Instead, each one has a different purpose, so you should use them carefully. Think about the platform, the audience, and the goals of the content.
Knowing whether a short or long URL works best could mean the difference between getting more traffic, improving how people engage with your website, and perhaps even mastering your digital strategy as businesses seek more online visibility.
This article looks at the good and bad of short and long URLs. It explains which one works best in different situations. It also gives some practical tips on how to choose the best type of URL format for your specific needs.
Here’s what you need to know: What is a URL?
A uniform resource locator—or URL—is the address of a website. A URL is a web address that takes the user to a specific piece of content, like a file, image, video, or web page. A URL is made up of different parts. The first part is the protocol, which can be HTTP or HTTPS. The second part is the domain name, which is usually something like www.example.com. The third part is the path, which can include products.
When it comes to search engine optimization and digital marketing, URLs are more than just addresses. They affect how authoritative, visible, and user-friendly a website is. There are pros and cons to both short and very long URLs. These can affect how easy it is for visitors to find and interact with your content.
Short URLs: A case for simplicity and branding
The user will have a better experience.
Short URLs are clear and easy to remember. They are easier to type, especially when sharing via social media, email, and messaging apps. People are more likely to click on a short URL because they are less intimidating and easier to read, copy, and paste.
For example, “www.example.com/holiday-sale” is much friendlier than a long string of unintelligible letters. Short URLs are more attractive and more likely to be clicked, which can increase the number of people who click on a link.
It should be shareable.
Short URLs are convenient, especially when it comes to applying character limits, such as Twitter. Social media posts and marketing communications can include more words and hashtags, so a short link is ideal because it is easier for users to type and therefore more likely to be shared. Short URLs also look cleaner in emails or social media posts.
Secondly, shortened URLs look more professional. For example, links that are shortened using services like Bitly or TinyURL might sound much more trustworthy than other generic domain endings. Businesses can use these services to brand their URLs, making them appear more trustworthy. For example, a business might use a URL like “bit.ly/BrandNamePromo” to enhance the perception of its brand.
The advantages of shortened URLs for SEO
Since Google and other search engines like short URLs with targeted keywords, short URLs can also help with SEO. Using keywords related to the page’s content in the URL can help improve search engine rankings. This is because it’s easier for search engines to scan shorter URLs.
This is especially true when a short URL is easy to use and has keywords that are relevant to the page’s content. This helps search engines better understand the page’s content and context.
There is a lower chance of broken links.
Short URLs are better because they’re less likely to have broken links. This is especially true for URLs with fewer parameters and better composition. Broken links are more likely in long URLs that contain complex tracking codes, dynamic parameters, or session IDs, especially when users accidentally change the link.
Possible disadvantages of short URLs
Short URLs have many benefits, but they can also have some downsides. Sometimes, the context that helps visitors and search engines understand what is on the page is lost when the URL is too simple. Also, if a short link is not made correctly, it may seem dishonest, especially if it is sent through a third-party link-shortening service.
Long URLs: The Case for Detail and Context
Describe and explain things in a way that is easy to understand.
Long URLs are great because they’re very descriptive. Both people visiting the site and search engines benefit when a long URL is well-written and shows what the page is about. Long URLs can include information about a website’s structure and content, while short URLs often require visitors to navigate through to find the content.
For example, “www.example.com/products/healthy-snacks/gluten-free-crackers” is a perfect example of what customers may expect from the website. Long URLs are best for eCommerce websites, blogs, and websites with lots of content. This is because long URLs improve the user experience and help with SEO.
More SEO Potential
If it is long and contains the right keywords and categories, long URLs might have more context to tell the search engine about the subject of the page. Including important phrases, like product names, categories, and services, can help make longer URLs rank higher in search results.
Content Hierarchy Structure
Long URLs usually suggest that a website is well organized. For example, the URL “www.example.com/technology/laptops/gaming-laptops” shows that the website has a category called technology, which has the items laptops and a subcategory gaming laptops.
When should you use short URLs instead of long ones?
Both short and long URLs have their own time to use in an effective digital strategy. The best choice depends on the situation.
Conclusion
There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to the debate between short and lengthy URLs. Instead, each one has a different purpose, so you should use them carefully. Think about the platform, the audience, and the goals of the content.