Google recently updated its Search documentation to provide new guidelines on URL parameter formatting. The recommendations highlight how structured URLs contribute to better crawling and indexing. Now, Google suggests using equal signs (“=”) for key-value pairs and ampersands (“&”) for connecting multiple parameters, advising against symbols like colons and commas.
Key Points from Google’s Update
Use Standard Characters
Google’s updated guidelines encourage developers to use equal signs (“=”) and ampersands (“&”) in URLs, improving consistency and crawl efficiency. Symbols like brackets, commas, and colons can lead to crawling issues and should be avoided.
Why Standardization Matters
URL parameters are critical in handling e-commerce functions, filtering options, and tracking sessions. However, they can lead to crawl budget issues or duplicate content if not properly structured, making SEO challenging.
Benefits for E-commerce and CMS Sites
Properly formatted URLs allow search engines to crawl effectively and reduce indexing challenges. This is especially useful for e-commerce and CMS platforms with dynamic content that uses parameters for sorting, filtering, and session management.
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