Mastering URL Structures for SEO

A URL (Uniform Resource Locator) serves as the address for a resource on the internet. It typically includes the protocol (e.g., HTTP), domain, and path. Knowing URL structure helps in efficient navigation and better SEO practices.

Subdomains (e.g., blog.example.com) and subdirectories (e.g., example.com/blog) both organize content but differ in SEO impact. Subdomains are treated as separate sites by search engines, while subdirectories benefit from the main domain’s authority.

URL parameters, seen after a '?' in URLs, pass data to web applications. They can track user behavior, customize page content, and influence SEO. Properly managing parameters avoids duplicate content issues, which can harm search rankings.

Canonical URLs tell search engines the preferred version of a page to prevent duplicate content issues. By using the 'rel=canonical' tag, you ensure search engines credit the right page, improving your site's SEO and ranking.

Shorter URLs are more user-friendly and shareable. They improve click-through rates (CTR) and are easier to read and remember. However, overly shortening URLs might lose context, so balance brevity with descriptive keywords for optimal results.

The longest URL recorded is 36,198 characters long! Crafted for testing purposes, it’s beyond practical use but showcases URL length limits.