Ever come across a link that looks like gibberish? Those are shortened URLs, commonly used by web development companies, small business websites, and anyone who wants to share a long link in a limited space, like social media posts. But do these shortened links hurt your website’s ranking in search results? Let’s break it down.
What is URL Shortening?
Imagine a web address that stretches on forever. URL shortening services take those lengthy links and transform them into bite-sized versions, making them easier to share and read. Clicking a shortened URL redirects you to the original website.
According to a recent survey, 85% of social media users find long URLs to be visually unappealing and difficult to share. This is where URL shortening comes in handy.
Does URL Shortening Affect SEO?
The good news for web development companies and small businesses is that URL shortening, in itself, doesn’t negatively impact SEO. Search engines like Google understand these redirects and can still crawl and index the original webpage.
However, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Loss of Link Juice: Some shortened URLs might not pass on all the SEO value (link juice) from the original link. This can slightly affect your ranking.
- Branded vs. Generic Shorteners: Using a branded URL shortener with your company name can boost brand recognition. Generic shorteners might not offer the same benefit.
So, should you use URL shorteners? Absolutely! Just be strategic about it.
Here are some tips:
- Use them for social media and limited space situations.
- Consider a branded URL shortener.
- Track clicks and engagement on shortened URLs.
By using URL shortening wisely, web development companies and small businesses can reap the benefits of cleaner links without sacrificing SEO.
