A permalink is a web address (URL) that remains unchanged for many years into the future. It often links to specific pieces of content on a website, such as blog posts, articles, or forum entries.
Etymology
The term "permalink" is a combination of "permanent" and "link." It was first used in the early 21st century as the web and blogging became more popular.
Usage in context
Blogging
In blogging, a permalink refers to the unique URL assigned to each blog post. This ensures that even if the post is archived, its link remains constant.
- Example: CREA SPACE's awesom blogpost on agility under the link "https://crea.space/blog/what-is-an-agile-project."
Forums and online discussions
Permalinks are used to link directly to specific comments or threads.
- As an example, let's see a WP forum, the "Fixing WordPress" forum, where a thread is about why a permalink is taking one to the wrong page: "https://wordpress.org/support/topic/why-is-my-permalink-taking-me-to-the-wrong-page/."
Importance
Stability
Permalinks provide a stable way to reference content, which is crucial for citation, sharing, and indexing.
SEO (search engine optimization)
Search engines use permalinks to index and rank pages, making it easier for users to find specific content.
Characteristics
Permalinks remain unchanging, so a true permalink stays constant over time, even if the website content or its location changes. Each piece of content should have a unique permalink, ensuring there are no duplicates. Good permalinks are often descriptive, providing users with a clue about the content of the page. For example, "https://crea.space/web-development-dictionary/permalink is more descriptive than "https://crea.space/web-development-dictionary/18865."
Technical aspects
Structure
Permalinks typically follow a structure that includes the domain name and a path that reflects the hierarchy of the content.
- Example: "https://crea.space/features/effortless-blogging."
Customization
Many content management systems (CMS) allow users to customize permalinks to improve readability and SEO.
Examples
- Online journal article: "https://medium.com/visualmodo/all-you-need-to-know-about-permalinks-3cb1d6a8d12c."
- Forum comment: "https://wphelpforums.com/threads/please-help.6146/#post-19965."
Common issues
Broken links can occur if a permalink changes or the content is removed without proper redirection, leading to a poor user experience. Poorly managed permalinks can also result in duplicate content issues where the same content is accessible via multiple URLs, potentially harming SEO.