Change and customize thePermanent linkStructure is an important but infrequent operation. Changing the structure of a URL without proper planning can lead to 404 Errorand thus have an impact on the visitor experience and SEO Negative impact.

In this detailed post, we'll look at how to change and customize the permalink structure in WordPress, discussing what you need to consider before and after making changes, as well as the different options available to you.

What are WordPress permalinks?

In WordPress.Permanent link(Permalinks) are permanent URL addresses for each page, post, or category. They not only provide a fixed access path to the content, but also form the URL structure of the website. A good permalink structure helps search engines better understand page content and provides a better browsing experience for users.

By default, WordPress automatically generates permalinks based on the structure defined in the settings. This makes publishing content easy, but in some cases it may be desirable to customize these links to better meet SEO needs or user experience.

When to change WordPress permalinks

Changing the WordPress permalink structure is usually not a routine operation, but a major tweak. Here are a few scenarios where permalink changes may be necessary:

• Website Rebranding
• SEO Improvement
• Improving the user experience

What to consider and do before changing permalinks

Detailed planning is required before making permalink changes. Here are a few key considerations:

• SEO and User Experience: The new structure of permalinks should be SEO-friendly and enhance the user experience. Simple and intuitive URLs are more user and search engine friendly.
• Future growth requirements: Ensure that the new URL structure is adapted to the long-term development of the site and avoid frequent changes to the link structure.
• Backup Sites: Be sure to back up your entire site before making changes to theProtection against unforeseen problemsThe
• Update internal links and set redirects: Lists all internal links that need to be updated and provides a URL for the changed URLs Setting up 301 redirectsto ensure thatExternal links do not cause 404 errorsThe

Choose between customized and preset structures

WordPress offers a variety of preset structures for permalinks, covering a wide range of needs from simple to complex. If these preset structures do not meet your requirements, there is also the option to customize the structure.

Common preset structures include:

• Plain text (default structure, contains query string)
• Date and name
• Month and name
• Numbers (based on post ID)
• Post Name

Custom structures allow you to combine different tags as needed, such as %year%,%postname% etc. to create specific URL formats.

If you are using theGoogle Search ConsoleMake sure to submit a new sitemap.xml. remember to check for broken links and set up redirects if needed. While you may not need to check every blog post, be sure to make sure that everything is in order, theto avoid losing search engine rankings.

How to change permalinks in WordPress

Change category and tag permalink

In WordPress, it is possible to customize the permalink structure for category and tag pages. This is useful for optimizing the SEO of category pages. By navigating to the "set up" > "Permanent link" > "selectable" section to change the category base and tag library.

• Category basis: Enter a custom permalink to replace the category page in the/category/
• label library: Enter customized permalink replacements in tabs/tag/

Change WooCommerce permalink

WooCommerce, an eCommerce plugin for WordPress, also allows customizing the permalink structure of product pages. The permalinks for product categories, product tags and product attributes can be modified separately in the WooCommerce settings.

Customized permalinks

Permalinks can be customized through the WordPress dashboard, phpMyAdmin, WP-CLI or plugins.

1,WordPress Dashboard

Changing the permalink structure through the WordPress dashboard is the easiest and most intuitive way to do this. Navigate to "set up" > "Permanent link", select a preset or customized structure and just save the changes.

2,phpMyAdmin

If you can't access the WordPress dashboard, you can also access it via the phpMyAdmin Modify the permalink settings in the database directly. This is a valid alternative for advanced users.

First, log into your phpMyAdmin. find the link through your hosting provider's backend. Next, select your WordPress database and then selectwp_optionsTable.

locateoption_namecolumn, and then look for thepermalink_structureRow. Once found, click Edit.

In the option_value field, enter what we want to use for thePermanent linkStructures. Use the same syntax as when defining a custom structure in the WordPress dashboard. When you're ready, click"Go."Save changes.

3,WP-CLI

WP-CLI is a command line tool for WordPress to change the permalink structure through a command line interface. It is suitable for those who are used to using the command line.

To specify the new structure, we need to run the following command:

wp option update permalink_structure '/%permalink-structure%/'

where %permalink-structure% is the new permalink structure we want to configure.

Once that's done, all that's left to do is refresh the rewrite rules by running the following command:

wp rewrite flush

4,plug-in (software component)

Those who wish to have finer control over permalinks can use a link like the Permalink Manager Such a plugin. The plugin offers powerful customization options for users who need complex URL structures.

What to do after changing permalinks

Changes to the permalink structure will requireUpdate all relevant internal links and set up redirectsIt is also recommended to submit a new sitemap to Google Search Console and use SEO tools to scan the site for link errors. It is also recommended to submit a new sitemap to Google Search Console and use SEO tools to scan the site for link errors.

Common permalink problems and their solutions

Problems with permalinks can affect a website's user experience and SEO rankings. Common issues include 404 Error,redirection erroretc. These problems can be fixed by following the steps below:

• Test all links for correctness
• update .htaccess file
• Using SEO Tools to Scan Websites

common problems

What is a permalink?
A permalink is a fixed URL address for each WordPress post, page or category. They are part of the site structure and help with SEO and user navigation.

Does changing permalinks affect SEO?
Changing permalinks can have a negative impact on SEO if redirects are not handled correctly. However, properly optimized permalinks can improve a site's search engine rankings.

How to choose the right structure of permalinks?
Choosing the right structure for your permalinks depends on the type of site you have and your goals. For blogs, using a "post name" structure may be the best choice, while for e-commerce sites, a customized structure may be more appropriate.

How do I set up a redirect after changing my permalink?
Plugins can be used such as Redirection Or manually edit .htaccess file to set up 301 redirects.

With detailed planning and the right tools, it is possible to successfully change and optimize the structure of permalinks in WordPress to improve your website's SEO and user experience.

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