Boost Your WordPress SEO with URL Rewriting

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Understanding URLs in WordPress
3. The Issue with Category and Tag Words in URLs
4. Removing Category and Tag Words from URLs Using Permalink Settings
   • 4.1 Customizing Category and Tag Base
   • 4.2 Removing Category and Tag Words
   • 4.3 Handling Category and Tag Archives
5. Alternative Method: Using the "WP No Base Permalink" Plugin
6. Limitations and Considerations
   • 6.1 Custom Post Types
   • 6.2 WooCommerce Products
7. Conclusion

How to Remove Category and Tag Words from URLs in WordPress?

When creating posts in WordPress, You have the option to assign categories and tags to them for better content organization. However, by default, the URLs of your posts may contain the words "category" and "tag," which some users may prefer to hide. In this article, we will discuss different methods to remove category and tag words from URLs in WordPress to Create cleaner and more user-friendly permalinks.

1. Introduction

URLs, also known as permalinks, play a crucial role in search engine optimization (SEO) and the overall user experience of a Website. By default, WordPress includes the category and tag words in the URLs of posts, which may not always be desirable. Fortunately, there are ways to modify the URL structure and remove these words while still maintaining the functionality of category and tag archives.

2. Understanding URLs in WordPress

Before diving into the methods of removing category and tag words from URLs in WordPress, let's briefly understand how URLs are structured in the platform. WordPress uses a hierarchical structure where the domain name is followed by the post name or slug.

3. The Issue with Category and Tag Words in URLs

While categories and tags are useful for organizing content, their inclusion in the URLs can make them unnecessarily long and less aesthetically pleasing. Some website owners may prefer cleaner URLs without the explicit mention of category or tag words, as it provides a neater and more professional appearance.

4. Removing Category and Tag Words from URLs Using Permalink Settings

WordPress provides options to customize the permalink structure, allowing you to remove category and tag words from URLs easily. Here are the steps to achieve this:

4.1 Customizing Category and Tag Base

In the WordPress dashboard, navigate to the "Settings" menu and click on "Permalinks." Here, you will find options to customize the category base and tag base.

• Pros: Allows you to define custom names for the category and tag bases.
• Cons: The actual category and tag names will remain in the URLs.

4.2 Removing Category and Tag Words

To completely remove category and tag words from the URLs, you can select the option of using a custom structure. By adding the category before the post name and using a dot or period for the category base, the category word can be eliminated from the URL structure.

• Pros: Removes category word from single post URLs.
• Cons: Category Archive pages might return a 404 error if not handled properly.

4.3 Handling Category and Tag Archives

When removing category and tag words from URLs, it is crucial to ensure that the category and tag archives still function correctly. By using plugins like "WP No Base Permalink," you can remove the category and tag bases from the permalinks without affecting their functionality.

• Pros: Removes category and tag words from URLs while preserving category and tag archives.
• Cons: May require additional plugin installation and configuration.

5. Alternative Method: Using the "WP No Base Permalink" Plugin

If the built-in permalink settings do not provide the desired outcome, you can consider using the "WP No Base Permalink" plugin. This plugin allows you to remove the category and parent category bases, as well as the tag base, from the permalinks.

• Pros: Provides a straightforward solution to remove category and tag words from URLs.
• Cons: Requires plugin installation and potential compatibility issues with other plugins or themes.

6. Limitations and Considerations

While removing category and tag words from post URLs can create cleaner permalinks, there are some limitations and considerations to keep in mind.

6.1 Custom Post Types

The methods discussed in this article primarily Apply to regular post URLs. If you have custom post types on your WordPress website, these methods may not work automatically for them. Custom post types require additional configuration to customize their URLs.

6.2 WooCommerce Products

For WooCommerce websites, the URL structure for products can also be modified. By default, product permalinks include the word "product." However, WooCommerce provides options to customize the base and remove the "product" word from the URLs, allowing for further customization and branding.

7. Conclusion

In conclusion, there are several methods available to remove category and tag words from URLs in WordPress. By customizing the permalink settings or using plugins like "WP No Base Permalink," website owners can create cleaner and more user-friendly URLs without compromising on the functionality of category and tag archives. Remember to consider the limitations and considerations Mentioned in this article to ensure a smooth implementation. With these adjustments, your permalinks will be optimized for search engines and improve the overall user experience on your WordPress website.

Highlights

• Understand the structure of URLs in WordPress.
• Removing category and tag words from post URLs improves aesthetics and user experience.
• Customizing permalink settings allows for the removal of category and tag words.
• Use the "WP No Base Permalink" plugin as an alternative method.
• Consider limitations for custom post types and WooCommerce products.

FAQ

Q: Can I remove category and tag words from URLs without affecting the functionality of category and tag archives? A: Yes, by using the "WP No Base Permalink" plugin, you can remove category and tag words from URLs while preserving the functionality of category and tag archives.

Q: Will removing category and tag words from URLs improve my website's SEO? A: While cleaner URLs can have a positive impact on SEO, it is just one factor among several others. It is essential to focus on overall SEO best practices for better search engine rankings.

Q: Are there any limitations to removing category and tag words from URLs? A: Yes, the methods discussed primarily apply to regular post URLs and may not work automatically for custom post types. Further configuration might be necessary for custom post types.

Q: Can I customize the URLs of WooCommerce products as well? A: Yes, WooCommerce provides options to customize the URL structure for products, including removing the word "product" from the URLs.

Q: What should I consider before making changes to my permalinks? A: It is crucial to backup your website before making any changes to permalinks. Additionally, consider the impact on existing SEO rankings and ensure proper redirects are in place to avoid broken links.