URL slug
Also known as: slug, permalink slug, URL path
A URL slug is the readable part of a web address that identifies a specific page — the "what-is-a-url-slug" in example.com/blog/what-is-a-url-slug. A clear, descriptive slug helps users and search engines understand the page before they open it.
- The readable page identifier in a URL path
- Use lowercase words separated by hyphens
- Changing one needs a redirect to preserve links
Anatomy of a slug
The slug is the path segment after the domain (and any folder) that names the page. In `example.com/guides/free-up-iphone-space`, the slug is free-up-iphone-space. It is the human-readable alternative to an opaque ID like `?p=2371`.
A good slug uses lowercase words separated by hyphens, stays short, and reflects the page topic. Hyphens are the standard word separator; underscores and spaces are discouraged.
Why slugs matter for SEO
A descriptive slug appears in search results and in the link itself, giving both people and search engines a quick read on the content. Keep it focused on the main keyword rather than stuffing it with extras.
Avoid changing a published slug casually. If you must, set up a redirect from the old URL to the new one so existing links and ranking signals are not lost.