Use Hyphens Instead of Underscores

Use Hyphens (-) Instead of Underscores (_) for Better SEO

When it comes to On Page SEO, URL structure plays a significant role in improving website visibility. One crucial yet often overlooked aspect of SEO-friendly URLs is the use of hyphens (-) instead of underscores (_). If you want to improve your search engine rankings and increase website traffic, you must follow this best practice.

Why Use Hyphens Instead of Underscores?

1. Google Treats Hyphens as Word Separators

Search engines like Google recognize hyphens as natural word separators. This means that when you use hyphens in your URLs, Google understands each word individually.

For example:

• SEO-friendly URL: https://www.example.com/use-hyphens
• Not SEO-friendly: https://www.example.com/use_hyphens

Google reads use-hyphens-for-seo as four separate words, but use_hyphens_for_seo is treated as a single, long, unrecognizable word.

2. Improved Readability for Users

Hyphens enhance the readability of URLs, making it easier for users to understand what the page is about. Clear and readable URLs increase click-through rates (CTR) and improve user experience.

3. Better Search Engine Rankings

Since hyphens make URLs more search-engine friendly, they contribute to higher rankings. Google recommends using hyphens over underscores for better indexing and understanding of web pages.

4. Consistency with SEO Best Practices

Most SEO professionals and digital marketing experts follow the hyphen rule as part of their SEO best practices. Following this strategy aligns your website with Google’s guidelines.

How to Implement Hyphens in URLs?

• Always Use Hyphens Instead of Underscores – When creating URLs, separate words with hyphens (-) and avoid underscores (_).
• Keep URLs Short and Descriptive – Use meaningful, concise keywords in your URLs.
• Avoid Special Characters and Spaces – Stick to alphanumeric characters and hyphens to maintain a clean URL structure.
• Use Lowercase Letters – URLs are case-sensitive, so always use lowercase letters to prevent duplicate issues.

Final Thoughts

Using hyphens instead of underscores in URLs is a simple yet effective on-page SEO strategy. It improves search engine indexing, enhances readability, and boosts website traffic. Implement this practice today to make your website more SEO-friendly and rank higher on search engines!

Written by RGB Web Tech

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