I recently found out that two of my website's blog pages have incorrect slugs. One page has the slug of the other page and vice versa. I am unsure of the best way to fix this issue. Should I swap the content of the pages and keep the slugs the same, or should I change the slugs in each post? I am concerned that changing the slugs may have negative consequences for SEO. My technical SEO skills are not very strong, so any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Changing the slugs of your blog pages is generally the best option to fix this issue, but you need to do it carefully to avoid harming your SEO. Here’s a breakdown:
Why changing slugs is important:
- Correct URL structure: Slugs help create clear and understandable URLs for both users and search engines.
- SEO benefits: Search engines can better understand the content of your pages when the slugs accurately reflect the topic.
- User experience: Consistent and relevant slugs improve user navigation and make your website easier to use.
How to change slugs safely:
- Backup your website: Before making any changes, create a complete backup of your website to ensure you can revert back if needed.
- Use 301 redirects: When changing a slug, create a 301 redirect from the old URL to the new one. This tells search engines that the content has permanently moved, preserving your SEO ranking.
- Monitor your website’s analytics: After making changes, monitor your website’s traffic and rankings closely to ensure there are no negative impacts.
Swapping content:
Swapping the content of the pages and keeping the slugs the same is not recommended. This will lead to confusion for both users and search engines.
Tools to help:
- WordPress: If you use WordPress, you can easily change slugs within the edit post screen.
- SEO plugins: Plugins like Yoast SEO and Rank Math provide tools for managing redirects and ensuring proper SEO practices.
By changing the slugs correctly and using 301 redirects, you can fix the issue without significantly affecting your SEO.