2

Assuming I am linking from one site I admin to another, so I have full control, is there a SEO difference in linking to the "pretty" permalink of a page versus using /?page_id=x or the "shortlink" generated by WP in the source of the page /?p=x?

I want to use one of the the latter options so I can avoid 404s when my customers change the slug of a page or article against my advice.

Improve this question

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
2

is there a SEO difference in linking to the "pretty" permalink of a page versus using /?page_id=x or the "shortlink" generated by WP in the source of the page /?p=x?

There should be no difference at all. Google will assign benefit or penalty based on the anchor text, not the underlying link text and will re-assign benefit or penalty on the destination pages. ?page_id=x or ?p=x won't figure into it.

Improve this answer
4
  • Well a link to ?p=x will go through a 301 redirect to the pretty, final permalink. Does that not figure into it?
    – HLLL
    Commented May 8, 2017 at 22:42
  • Not enough to matter. Almost everything WordPress does results in a 301 :) Google knows a WordPress site when it spiders one and adjusts for stuff like this. At the end of the day, you're not doing anything unusual enough to draw a penalty nor are you doing anything beneficial enough to draw a bonus. Is there a micro-difference in the weightings? Yes. Does it matter in the grand scheme of things? No.
    – JCL1178
    Commented May 9, 2017 at 5:32
  • So you would say that the said 301 redirect is preferable to the speed disadvantage of using using the REST API to get the "pretty" permalink from the site I am linking to, correct?
    – HLLL
    Commented May 12, 2017 at 7:01
  • Right now, yes. Google appears to highly value speed over number of redirects. But since the algorithm changes frequently what is good today may be bad tomorrow. Generally speaking, I try to not overthink these things for that very reason.
    – JCL1178
    Commented May 12, 2017 at 21:26
-1

Firstly, WordPress manages 301 re-direct fine.

So, if you link to the URL with parameter vs clean URL would have the same value.

Let's understand by an example:

URL 1: example.com/detail-page-url/

URL 2: example.com/?page_id=1

Let's say URL 2 redirect so URL 1 then you can link either.

Even though it will have same value i would recommend linking the final preferred URL with is URL 1 because it looks clean and also got the keyword into it.

Not sure what you meant by 404 in your last line.

Hope this will help.

Improve this answer
2
  • I think you misunderstood the original question.
    – JCL1178
    Commented May 9, 2017 at 5:36
  • Well, it answers the first part about 301. Not sure how you read the comment not related.
    – TopQnA
    Commented May 9, 2017 at 6:37

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.