Permalinks, or permanent links, are the full URLs to your site’s posts, pages, and other content. They’re important for SEO because search engines use them to understand the content on your page. They’re also important for usability, as well-structured URLs are easier for users to understand.

Here’s how to effectively utilise permalinks in WordPress:

Choose a Permalink Structure

WordPress offers several permalink structures, which can be found in the Settings > Permalinks section of your dashboard. For SEO purposes, it’s generally best to choose “Post name”, as it includes the title of your post in the URL.

Use Keywords in URLs

Include your target keywords in your URLs. This helps search engines understand the content of the page and can improve your rankings.

Keep URLs Short and Descriptive

Keep your URLs as short as possible while still being descriptive. This makes them easier for users to read and remember.

Avoid Stop Words

Stop words are common words like “and”, “is”, “a”, etc. They’re usually ignored by search engines, so it’s often best to remove them from your URLs.

Use Hyphens to Separate Words

Use hyphens (-) to separate words in your URLs. This makes them easier to read for both users and search engines.

Remember to carefully plan your permalink structure before you start creating content. Changing your permalinks later can lead to broken links and negatively impact your SEO. If you do need to change them, make sure to set up proper 301 redirects to prevent any issues.