/category/postname or /postname ?

**dmi** · 2 July, 2009, 15:34 PM

Hi,

SEO experts... What is better:

1. http://www.domain.com/category/postname or
2. http://www.domain.com/postname ?

Thank you,
dmi

**Shenron** · 2 July, 2009, 15:56 PM

Option 2 is the best imho and it's the one I use all over.

**Mr.Bill** · 2 July, 2009, 15:57 PM

If you have categories then using the category/post title is gives you more keywords for ranking in the serps which has worked for me.

If you dont have categories then using the post title is the best option.

Keeping them like this make them look more professional and search engine friendly.

**Nick** · 2 July, 2009, 15:57 PM

I personally like option 1 (personal preference), but I believe option 2 is best in regards to SEO.

**dmi** · 2 July, 2009, 16:16 PM

I'll go with the option 2.

Thanks everyone.

**bhartzer** · 2 July, 2009, 17:52 PM

I prefer /postname because it's closer to the root.

**Shawn** · 2 July, 2009, 18:34 PM

I use #1 on some WordPress blogs using properly named categories and post names with great results.

I would go with #2 if the category names don't fit well in terms of SEO, but then why are you naming them that way if so????

**dmi** · 2 July, 2009, 21:22 PM

It appears that I cannot use the /postname option. This website I'm creating needs categories, which are featured on the homepage. If I use the /postname option, the categories don't work. Therefore, I have to go with the /category/postname option.

**Shenron** · 2 July, 2009, 22:28 PM

Originally Posted by dmi

It appears that I cannot use the /postname option. This website I'm creating needs categories, which are featured on the homepage. If I use the /postname option, the categories don't work. Therefore, I have to go with the /category/postname option.

UGH?!!

/%postname% works, no matter if you use categories or not.
Remember to change your .htaccess permissions to 777 before saving changes and set them back to 644 after saving the changes.

**Nick** · 3 July, 2009, 00:31 AM

Originally Posted by dmi

It appears that I cannot use the /postname option. This website I'm creating needs categories, which are featured on the homepage. If I use the /postname option, the categories don't work. Therefore, I have to go with the /category/postname option.

It should be working just fine. As Shenron stated, make sure your .htaccess file is being updated (it must be writable).