Did you know there’s a big difference between using underscores and hyphens in your URLs? The simple and definitive answer is that you should always use hyphens (-). Search engines universally recognize them as word separators. Underscores (_), on the other hand, are not recognized.
For example, a search engine would see learn_seo_for_beginners as a single word: learnseoforbeginners. This makes it very hard for a search engine to understand your content. However, a search engine would see learn-seo-for-beginners as four separate words: learn seo for beginners.
The easier it is for a search engine to read and understand your URLs, the more likely your site will appear for relevant search queries.
The Underscore vs. Hyphen Debate
The debate about which to use has been around for a long time. For a while, there was a lot of confusion, but in 2011, Google clarified the issue. A Google employee stated that hyphens are the way to go for SEO and will remain so for the foreseeable future. A more recent statement in 2022 confirmed this, saying that because underscores are used in so many other places online, it’s hard for search engines to use them as word separators.
Why Do URLs Matter So Much?
URLs are a vital part of your on-page SEO. In addition to your website’s content, titles, and descriptions, search engines use URLs to determine what your page is about and how it should rank. A good URL can provide a clear hint of what a page is about, which can also enhance the user experience.
What If I Used Underscores?
If you are currently using underscores in your URLs and your pages are ranking well, there is no need to change them. However, if you are having trouble ranking, or if you want to improve your website’s SEO, you should use 301 redirects to point your old URLs to new, hyphenated ones.
Can I Use Hyphens in Domain Names?
This is a different story. As a general rule, you should not use hyphens in domain names. Most visitors are used to domain names that are a single word. A hyphenated domain name can look spammy and is harder to remember.
How to Use Hyphens in URLs: Tips & Best Practices
Follow a Standard URL Structure
You should use hyphens to separate words in your URL. A good URL structure should be simple and intuitive, like examplesite.com/women/dresses. You should avoid a long URL with too many categories, as it can be confusing for a search engine.
Check Auto-Generated URLs and Remove Stop Words
Some websites have plugins that automatically generate URLs for them. You should check these URLs and remove any unnecessary words that don’t add value. These are called stop words, and they can make your URL long and unreadable. A tool like our AI Rewording Tool can help you ensure that your content is always fresh and readable.
Include Your Keyword in the URL
The keyword you want to rank for should be a part of your URL. This helps a search engine understand what your page is about. You should, however, use hyphens to separate distinct words. For example, if you are writing about coffee grinders, your URL should look something like this: allaboutcoffee.com/best-burr-grinders.
Use Canonical Tags (If Needed)
If you have a page that can be found at multiple URLs, you should use a canonical tag to tell a search engine which version to index. This can happen with pages that have filters or that are sorted in different ways.
The Definitive Answer to Underscores vs. Hyphens in SEO
The definitive answer is to use hyphens. Both search engines and users prefer them. Hyphens make your URLs more readable and help search engines understand your content better. A professional SEO platform like Clickrank can help you with your on-page SEO, your technical issues, and your content, so you can build a strong website that ranks well.
What is the difference between hyphens, en, and em dashes?
In SEO, you should only use hyphens (-). En dashes (–) and em dashes (—) are longer and are used for other purposes, like to write dates or to replace commas.
Do underscores affect my ability to rank?
Not necessarily, but using underscores can make your URLs harder for search engines and users to read. Hyphens are the best way to represent spaces in a URL.
What's the best character to represent blank spaces in a URL?
You should always use hyphens to represent blank spaces in a URL.
