What is better for SEO?
When optimizing your search engines website, every detail counts – including something small as you can structure your URLs. If you wonder if you should use A Hyphen (-) or at underlined (_) You are not alone in your URLs.
For D2C brand owners, KMBS and Web/Digital agencies, this decision has more affected than just the appearance. It can affect the visibility of the search engines of the search engine, the click rate and even user -friendliness.
In this blog we will explain the most important differences between strokes and underlined in URLS, which are better for the SEO and share the best practices that are supported by Google’s own guidelines And industry knowledge.
Dash against underlined in Urls: What is the difference?
How they work
A Url (Uniform Resource Locator) is the address of a website. In content -rich URLs, words are often separated for clarity and SEO. The two most frequently used separators are:
- Hyphen (-): Example https: //example.com/best-seo tools
- Underlined (_): Example – https://example.com/best_seo_tools
While these may seem interchangeable, they are interpreted very differently by Google And user.
Why strokes are better for SEO
1. Google treats strokes as a word separator
Google clearly indicates that that Hyphen (lines) Are recognized as recognized EquivalentWhat helps the algorithm to interpret every word correctly. For example, a URL like Best-Seo tools is read as Three separate keywords: “Best”, “SEO” and “Tools”.
On the other hand, Underlined do not serve this function. A URL like best_seo_tools is considered to be considered Single, unbroken string– Potential violates the relevance of the keyword.
Google’s official guide to the URL structure
2. The lines improve the user experience and readability
From A human readability Points, strokes make URLs cleaner and easier to scan – especially on mobile devices or in search sections.
For example:
- Example.com/Responsive-Web-Design-best-practices
is easier to understand than - Example.com/Responsive_Web_design_best_practices
This readability leads to Higher CTRs (Click rate), especially for D2C and SMB brands that compete in crowded digital rooms.
3. Technical compatibility across systems
Underlined can occasionally pose Technical problems In some web servers, frameworks and CMS platforms. Some systems treat underlined as variable characters or do not properly analyze them in URLs. However, strokes are generally supported and are far less susceptible to parse errors.
4. Consistency is important for SEO
Maintained a Consistent URL structure The use of strokes on their entire website builds trust with search engines and users. If you change between underlined and strokes – or both mixture – crawler can confuse and lead to double content problems.
Example of real world: why it is important
Let us assume that your agency starts one Mobile-First Webdesign Project for a D2C skin care brand. The project includes the creation of category pages with SEO-friendly URLs. Selecting Example.com/organic-skincare-Products (with strokes) ensures that search engines can properly identify their keywords and that users can read it at a glance.
If you had selected for example.com/organic_skincare_products, you would lose the SEO benefit of a single keyword recognition.
SEO-friendly URL Best Practices
- Use Strokes (-) As a word separator.
- Avoid underlined (_) in public URLs.
- Keep URLs short, descriptive and keyworld kingdom.
- Follow A Mobile-First Approach to readability.
- Maintain consistency About all URLs.
- Avoid stop words like “and”, “that”, “from” where possible.
How to update URLs without losing the SEO value
If you ever have to change your URLs -for example, to be removed from underlined -it is important to do this carefully to avoid losing your existing SEO rankings. The first step is to Set up 301 forwardingwhich the old URL permanently focus on the new. This gives both users as well as you are sure Inform Google about the changes By updating your sitemap and the transmission through Google search console. This accelerates the indexing process for your new URLs. Finally, check regularly broken left or creep error Use tools such as Google Search Console or Screaming Frog. The quick remedy of these problems ensures a smooth experience for users and helps to maintain the SEO performance of your website.
Case study: SEO effects of the change of underlined
A medium-sized D2C modemarkt used underlined underlined in product URLs (e.g. example.com/men_leather_jacket) and fought with poor search rankings. After switching to hyphen (e.g. Google search console.
Within 60 days:
- Organic traffic was around 18%
- CTR improved through 11%
- Average ranking position postponed from page 2 Page 1
This change increased that the proper URL formatting – such as the use of strokes – can significantly increase the SEO performance with minimal effort.
Frequently asked questions
1. Are underlined in Urls ever acceptable?
Technically speaking yes – but only in controlled environments such as internal development or persecution of URLs. For publicly oriented pages, Google recommends strokes.
2. Can the change from URLS affect my SEO?
Yes. Change existing URLs can lead to traffic loss, unless they implement properly 301 forwarding. Always contact an SEO expert before making large changes.
3. What about screen size and URL display – is it important?
Yes. For Responsive design And Mobile-First WebdesignShort, clean urls with lines are easier to display on smaller screens and offer a better one User experience.
Diploma
Choose Rushed over underlined In their URLs there is not just a stylistic decision – it is a proven procedure that is supported by GoogleTechnical standards and real SEO performance.
The use of lines are their URLs:
- Search engine friendliness
- Easier to understand for users
- Technically reliably across systems
For D2C brandsPresent KMBSAnd Digital agenciesThis small shift can contribute to a measurable buoyancy in ranking lists, commitment and conversions.
Do you need help to optimize the structure of your website?
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Contact us today To arrange free advice and create a website that is carried out on every screen size and search engine.
