In this guide, we will learn how to remove the “category” prefix in the slug of your WordPress Categories. The default WordPress category slug adds a prefix, typically “/category/”.
For example, if your category name is WordPress, in that case, the URL is displayed as: https://googletopper.com/category/WordPress. However, you can change or remove the Category Base prefix easily in WordPress. Removing the category base prefix from the slug can result in shorter and more readable URLs. And will look like https://googletopper.com/WordPress.
Before we learn how to remove the “category” base prefix in the slug of your WordPress Categories, Let us understand the Pros and Cons of it with respect to SEO benefits.
What are the SEO Benefits of using category prefixes in the slug
Including the category prefix in the slug of your WordPress categories may have some minor SEO benefits.
Firstly, it provides clarity to search engines and users about the nature of the page. The category prefix makes it clear that the page is a category archive, which can help search engines understand the content and context of the page.
Secondly, including the category prefix in the slug can also help to improve the URL structure of your site. Having a clear and organized URL structure can make it easier for search engines to crawl and index your site, which may lead to better rankings.
However, the impact of including the category prefix in the slug on SEO is relatively minor. Other factors, such as the quality of your content, the relevance of your keywords, and the overall structure of your site, are likely to have a much greater impact on your SEO performance.
What are the SEO Benefits of Not using category prefixes in the slug
There are several potential benefits of not using the category prefix in the slug of your WordPress categories:
Shorter and More Readable URLs: Removing the category prefix from the slug can result in shorter and more readable URLs. This can make it easier for users to remember and share your URLs and can also help to improve the user experience.
Streamlined URL Structure: Removing the category prefix can help to simplify your URL structure and make it easier to navigate. This can be particularly useful for sites with a large number of categories.
Improved SEO: While including the category prefix in the slug can have some minor SEO benefits, removing it can also have some advantages. Shorter and more readable URLs can be more attractive to users and may be more likely to be clicked on in search engine results pages (SERPs).
Avoiding Keyword Stuffing: In some cases, including the category prefix in the slug can result in keyword stuffing. Which can negatively impact your SEO performance. By removing the category prefix, you can avoid this issue. And ensure that your URLs are optimized for search engines in a natural and organic way.
Ultimately, the decision to use or not use the category prefix in the slug of your WordPress categories will depend on your specific needs and preferences. Both approaches have their advantages and disadvantages. And it’s important to choose the one that works best for your site and your goals.
Remove the “category” prefix in the slug of your WordPress Categories using Yoast’s SEO Plugin
To remove the “category” prefix in the slug of your WordPress categories using Yoast SEO plugin, follow these steps:
Install and activate the Yoast SEO plugin. If it’s not already installed.
Step 1: Go to Yoast SEO Settings.
Click on Yoast SEO Option in the left-hand menu of your WordPress dashboard. Then click on Settings from the Sub Menu.
Step 2: Locate the Categories option.
Expand the Categories & Tags, and select the Categories option.
Step 3: Go to Additional settings.
Scroll down and locate Additional settings.
Step 4: Show or hide category prefixes in category URLs.
Click on the toggle button to Show/hide the category prefix in the slug. In our case, we click on the toggle button to hide the category prefix. Toggle-button turned grey with an ‘x’ mark.
Click on the “Save Changes” button.
With these steps, the “category” prefix will be removed from the slug of your WordPress categories using the Yoast SEO plugin. Note that this will also affect the URLs of any subcategories that belong to the parent category.
I hope you find this guide helpful.