Your website’s permalink structure affects both SEO rankings and user experience. By default, WordPress uses URLs with random numbers and symbols, which aren’t great for search engines or visitors. Updating your permalink structure to “Post Name” makes your URLs clean, readable, and optimized for Google.
Why You Should Use “Post Name” Permalinks
- Better SEO – URLs with keywords (e.g., yoursite.com/how-to-update-permalinks) rank better than generic ones (e.g., yoursite.com/?p=123).
- Improved User Experience – Visitors can easily understand what a page is about just by looking at the URL.
- Easier Sharing – Clean URLs look more professional in social media posts, emails, and search results.
How to Change Your Permalink Structure
Step 1: Access the Permalink Settings
- Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
- Go to Settings > Permalinks.
Step 2: Choose the “Post Name” Option
- In the Common Settings section, select Post Name.
- Click Save Changes at the bottom of the page.
What to Do After Changing Permalinks
- Check for Broken Links – If your site was using a different permalink structure before, old links might no longer work. Use a redirection plugin to fix them.
- Update Internal Links – If you’ve manually linked to old URLs within your content, update them to reflect the new structure.
- Resubmit Your Sitemap to Google – Changing permalinks affects how Google indexes your pages. Submit your updated sitemap in Google Search Console to help search engines find the new URLs faster.
What’s Next?
Your website’s permalink structure is just one part of a strong SEO foundation. A Website Diagnostic Review can help ensure that your site is fully optimized, secure, and running smoothly. Learn more about how a full website review can improve your site’s performance here.
