Permalinks are the permanent URLs to your pages, blog posts, categories, and tags. The Settings Permalinks Screen in WordPress allows you to customize the structure of these URLs according to your preference.
Customize Permalink structure
You can choose from common settings or create a custom URL structure using tags in this section. The common settings include options such as plain, day and name, month and name, numeric, and post name. Alternatively, you can specify a custom structure using tags like %year%, %monthnum%, %day%, and %postname%.
Optional
You can also customize the category and tag URLs by entering custom bases. For example, you can set a custom prefix for your category URLs, which would appear as http://example.org/topics/uncategorized/. If left blank, the default settings will be used.
Save Changes
Once you have configured your desired permalink structure and made any other changes, click the “Save Changes” button to apply the new settings. WordPress will update your permalink structure and generate the necessary rewrite rules for your URLs to work correctly.
Choosing a user friendly and SEO-friendly permalink structure is essential. A descriptive and concise URL structure can improve the aesthetics and usability of your links, as well as contribute to better search engine rankings. By customizing your permalinks, you can create URLs that reflect the content and organization of your website.
After saving the changes, WordPress will display a confirmation message at the top of the screen indicating that your permalink structure has been updated. If your .htaccess file is writable, WordPress will automatically handle the necessary modifications. However, if your .htaccess file is not writable, you must manually update it with the provided rewrite rules displayed at the bottom of the screen.
Remember to consider the usability and compatibility aspects when choosing a permalink structure. Ensure that your desired structure is easy to read and remember for users while also being compatible with your server configuration.
Note that visiting the Permalinks screen triggers a flush of rewrite rules, so there is no need to save the settings again to flush the rules.
If you encounter any issues with file permissions or hidden files (e.g., .htaccess), consult your FTP software’s user guide or FAQ for guidance on displaying hidden files, changing file permissions, and renaming files.
Customizing your permalinks is essential in optimizing your website’s URLs for better user experience and search engine visibility. Take the time to choose a permalink structure that suits your website’s needs and reflects your content hierarchy.