Permalinks are the permanent URLs of your pages and posts. In WordPress, set them under Settings, Permalinks; the “Post name” option (yoursite.com/sample-post/) is the best choice for most sites because it is short, readable and keyword-friendly. Change permalinks only before launch; changing them later breaks links unless you add 301 redirects from every old URL.
- Choose Post name for most websites.
- Keep slugs short, lowercase, hyphenated.
- Remove dates and stop words where sensible.
- Changing URLs later needs 301 redirects.
- Do not include the year in evergreen slugs.
Which permalink structure is best?
| Structure | Example | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Plain | /?p=123 | Avoid |
| Day and name | /2026/10/22/post/ | Looks dated |
| Post name | /post-name/ | Best for most |
| Category and name | /category/post-name/ | Fine for large news sites |
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How do you write a good slug?
Imagine a post titled “The Ultimate 2026 Guide to Choosing the Best Wedding Photographer in Dhaka for Your Big Day”. WordPress suggests a very long slug. Editing it to /wedding-photographer-dhaka/ keeps it short, focused on the search phrase and still accurate next year. Edit the slug in the post settings before publishing.
What if you already changed permalinks?
Add 301 redirects from old to new URLs with a redirect plugin, then check Search Console for 404 errors, following Google’s site move guidance. More on SEO basics in the Yoast SEO beginner tutorial.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the best permalink structure for WordPress?
Post name (yoursite.com/post-name/) is best for most sites.
Can I change permalinks after launch?
Yes, but add 301 redirects from every old URL to avoid broken links and lost rankings.
Should I include dates in URLs?
Usually not; dates make evergreen content look outdated.
How long should a slug be?
Short: three to five meaningful words, lowercase, separated by hyphens.
Sources
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Tanvir H is a Bangladesh-based WordPress and Elementor web designer with 7+ years of experience, 650+ projects and a 4.9 client rating. New websites, redesigns, fixes, speed, security and SEO, handled by one expert who explains everything in plain English and works with clients worldwide.
