About URL Rewriting

**SEO_Expert** · 01-13-2009, 06:33 PM

Here is some information about URL Rewriting:

URL rewriting not only adds relevant keywords to your forum URLs but also consolidates multiple (different) URLs into ONE URL for EACH unique resource. This second benefit enhances your site's internal linking structure by creating a network of consistent links that allow search engines to properly find and index your site's unique content. A consistent link structure also ensures incoming links ALWAYS "create value" by pointing to main content pages and never to secondary or duplicate entries, thus increasing relevancy for your core content with each back-link.

The following is directed to anyone that is currently using SEF URLs or has used SEF URLs, and has a clear understanding on the topic of URL rewriting.

"_" Vs. "-" Vs. "." Vs. "/"

Which do you prefer when confronted with the option to select between the (2) two option above?

In terms of SEO; what seems to work best for everyone that uses URL rewriting to generate SEF URLs, dash"-" | underscore "_" | dot "." | frontslash "/" ...?

Has anyone had better results using one compared to the other?

If you have any information, questions, resources, and/or ideas topic, feel free to post it.

**copper** · 01-13-2009, 08:09 PM

Not too sure about SEO purpose, but, for some unknown reason...
Cpanel File Manager seem to favor underscore (_) over dash (-).
File Manager sometimes do not work with file names that contain dash.

So, I favor underscore lately.

However, as you said, many SEF tend to go with dash including...
All in one SEO - most used wordpress plugin for SEO
sh404SEF - most used joomla SEF

Perhaps it doesn't matter which?

**SEO_Expert** · 01-13-2009, 09:16 PM

I have been having mixed results myself, but it does depend on how the .htaccess file is confiured for url rewriting.

Having problems with; or a missconfigured .htacess files can cause problems with the way search engine bots handle URL rewriting when they craw your website.