How to Configure the Permalink Structure of Your WordPress Website

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Before we discuss how to configure the permalink structure of WordPress, it’s important to first understand what a permalink is and its function.

A permalink is short for “permanent link,” which refers to a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) that points to a specific page or content on a website. This URL is designed to remain unchanged or valid for a long period of time.

In the web world, permalinks are important because they allow users or search engines to easily find and access specific content on a website. This contrasts with dynamic URLs that can change every time the content is modified or updated.

For example, on many blogs or news sites, each article typically has a permalink that directly takes readers to that article’s page. This link will not change even if the article is moved or archived.

By using permalinks, websites can maintain the integrity of their links, improve navigation, and help with SEO (Search Engine Optimization) because search engines like Google prefer stable permanent links over frequently changing ones.

By default, WordPress uses the following URL format to display pages and posts:
http://www.example.com/?p=63

This URL is known as a “permalink” because it is a permanent link to the post or page and should not change. The default WordPress permalink structure uses the post ID number to generate the URL. While this type of URL works fine, it is not easy to read or remember.

Fortunately, WordPress allows you to configure the permalink structure to your preference. This can improve the usability and readability of your website’s URLs and also affect how search engines interpret them.

To configure the permalink structure of your WordPress site, follow these steps:

1. Log in to the Admin Panel

Log in to WordPress as an administrator to access and modify the permalink structure of your website.

2. Your WordPress Dashboard

In the WordPress dashboard, click on Settings and then click on Permalinks. The Permalink Settings page will appear.

3. General Permalink Settings

Under the General Settings section, choose the permalink structure you would like to use for your pages and posts. WordPress will automatically fill in the custom structure text box based on the permalink structure you choose:

Explanation:

• Day and name – This permalink structure formats the URL using the date, month, year, and post name.
• Month and name – This permalink structure formats the URL using the month, year, and post name.
• Numeric – Similar to the default WordPress permalink, this structure formats the URL using the post ID. However, it also removes the ?p= parameter and replaces it with an archive.
• Post name – This permalink structure formats the URL using the post or page title. No date information is included in the URL.
• Custom Structure – You can create your own permalink structure by manually specifying values in this text box.

4. Optional Permalink Settings

Under “Optional,” you can further customize your permalink structure. By default, WordPress uses categories and tags in the URL to display category and tag archives. (For example, to display a page tagged as cats, the URL would be http://www.example.com/tag/cats).

• In the “Category base” text box, enter a new value to use in the URL to display articles from a specific category.
• Then, in the “Tag base” text box, enter a new value to use in the URL to display articles tagged with specific tags.

5. Save Permalink Settings

Next, click Save Changes. WordPress will immediately update the URLs of your posts and pages.

That’s the article on how to configure the permalink structure of your WordPress website Mangcoding. I hope this article is helpful and provides new knowledge for you. If you have any constructive feedback or suggestions, feel free to comment or send an email through Email and Mangcoding’s social media.

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