Dashes or Underscores in URLs: The Ultimate SEO Showdown

In search engine optimisation (SEO), even the smallest details can make a significant difference. One such detail that has sparked considerable debate among SEO experts is whether to use dashes (hyphens) or underscores in URLs. This seemingly minor decision can impact your website’s search engine ranking and user experience.

In this blog, we will delve into the pros and cons of using dashes and underscores in URLs, explore their impact on SEO, and provide best practices for optimising your URLs for search engines and users.

The Importance of URL Structure in SEO

Before we dive into the dashes versus underscores debate, it’s crucial to understand why URL structure matters in SEO. URLs serve as a critical component of your website’s overall structure and play a significant role in how search engines index and rank your pages. A well-structured URL can:

Improve Crawlability: Search engines use URLs to discover and index content on your site. A clear and logical URL structure makes it easier for search engines to crawl and understand your website’s content.

Enhance User Experience: User-friendly URLs are easier to read and remember, which can lead to higher click-through rates (CTR) and improved user engagement.

Boost Keyword Relevance: Including relevant keywords in your URLs can help search engines understand the topic of your page and improve your ranking for those keywords.

With these benefits in mind, let’s explore the differences between dashes and underscores in URLs and their impact on SEO.

Dashes vs. Underscores: What’s the Difference?

What Are Dashes?

Dashes, also known as hyphens, are horizontal lines used to separate words in a URL. They look like this: ’ -’.
For example, a URL with dashes might look like this:
https://www.example.com/seo-friendly-url

Benefits of Using Dashes

Search Engine Recognition: Search engines, including Google, recognise dashes as word separators. This means that ‘seo-friendly-url’ will be interpreted as “seo friendly URL.”

Readability: Dashes make URLs more readable for users, as they clearly separate words.
Consistency: Most SEO best practices and guidelines recommend using dashes, making them a standard in the industry.

Drawbacks of Using Dashes

Potential Overuse: Overusing dashes can make URLs look cluttered and spammy.

Length: Adding dashes can increase the length of URLs, which might be less appealing.

What Are Underscores?

Underscores are horizontal lines that sit below the text line and are used to connect words in a URL. They look like this: ‘_’.

For example, a URL with underscores might look like this:
https://www.example.com/seo_friendly_url

Benefits of Using Underscores

Technical Use: Underscores are often used in programming and technical contexts, which might make them familiar to developers.

Aesthetic Preference: Some people prefer the look of underscores to dashes.

Drawbacks of Using Underscores

Search Engine Interpretation: Search engines do not recognise underscores as word separators. This means that ‘seo_friendly_url’ will be interpreted as “seofriendlyurl” which could negatively impact keyword relevance.

Readability: Underscores can be harder to read, especially in underlined hyperlinks, where they might be mistaken for spaces.

Usability Issues: Underscores are less user-friendly, particularly for non-technical users who might struggle to locate the underscore key on a keyboard.

Revamping Your URLs: A Strategic Approach

If you’ve built a website using underscores in your URLs. Don’t panic!

Here’s a strategic approach to revamping your URLs for optimal SEO performance:

Prioritise Impact: Focus on changing URLs for your most important content, the pages you really want to rank for.

301 Redirects are Your Friend: Implement 301 redirects from your old URLs (with underscores) to your new, hyphen-fied versions. This ensures users and search engines land on the correct page while preserving SEO value.

Gradual is the Name of the Game: Don’t try to change everything overnight. Make the transition gradually to avoid confusing search engines and users.

Test and Monitor: Keep an eye on your website’s analytics after implementing URL changes. Track any ranking fluctuations and adjust your strategy as needed.

Best Practices for URL Structure

Regardless of whether you use dashes or underscores, following best practices for URL optimisation is essential. Here are some key tips to ensure your URLs are SEO-friendly:

Keep it Short and Simple

Shorter URLs are easier to read, remember, and share. Aim to create concise URLs that accurately describe the content of your page. Avoid using unnecessary words or characters.

Use Lowercase Letters

Stick to lowercase letters in your URLs to avoid confusion and potential duplicate content issues. URLs are case-sensitive, so using uppercase letters can lead to inconsistencies.

Avoid Stop Words

Stop words such as “and,” “the,” and “of” do not add significant value to your URLs and can make them longer and more complex. Omit stop words to keep your URLs clean and focused.

Use Hyphens as Word Separators

As discussed, hyphens are the preferred choice for separating words in URLs. They enhance readability and keyword relevance. Avoid using underscores or spaces.

Create a Logical URL Structure

Organise your URLs logically and hierarchically that reflects the structure of your website. Use categories and subcategories to group related content. For example: https://www.example.com/category/subcategory/page-title

Avoid Keyword Stuffing

While it’s important to include keywords in your URLs, avoid overloading them with excessive keywords. This can make your URLs look spammy and negatively impact your SEO. Focus on creating natural and meaningful URLs.

Conclusion

In the ultimate SEO showdown between dashes and underscores in URLs, dashes emerge as the clear winner. Their ability to separate words, improve readability, and enhance keyword relevance makes them the preferred choice for SEO-friendly URLs. However, the decision ultimately depends on the specific needs and context of your website.

Whether you choose dashes or underscores in your URLs, the key is consistency and best practices to maximise SEO benefits. Contact Whitehat Agency, a Sydney based seo company, to ensure your URL structure and overall SEO strategy are perfectly aligned for success.

By following best practices for URL optimisation and choosing the appropriate word separators, you can create URLs that are both search engine and user-friendly. Remember, a well-structured URL is a small but powerful element that can contribute significantly to your website’s overall SEO success.