Keywords in URL: sub-directory or single layer keywords?

[JAR897]

Hi guys,

im putting together a proposal for a new site and trying to figure out if it'd be better to (A) have a keyword split across multiple directories or duplicate keywords to have the keyword hyphenated?

For example, for the topic of "Christmas decor" would you use;

(A) - www.domain.com/Christmas/Decor

(B) - www.domain.com/Christmas/Christmas-Decor

in example B the phrase 'Christmas' is duplicated which looks a little spammy, but the key term "Christmas decor" is in the URL without being broken up by directories.

which is stronger? Any advice welcome! Thanks guys!

[GlobeRunner]

When you're setting up a URL structure, we recommend setting up the URLs (folders/directories, etc.) so that it matches the hierarchy of the site. In the example you gave: www.domain.com/Christmas/Decor you would typically have a Christmas section of your site and then a Decor section.

But, if you have a Decor section (some that is not Christmas decor but maybe includes other types of decor), then the decor section as listed above wouldn't fit in properly. It could be like this: www.domain.com/Decor/Christmas-Decor/ and then you could actually also have a Christmas section, as well. It's possible that your Christmas products might list all of your Christmas products and the Christmas/decor/ section would then include the Christmas decor section.

Look at what sections of your site that you've created--and then the URLs should closely match those sections and that site hierarchy.

[solvid]

Hi,

I would suggest using the first option (/christmas/decor). Google and other search engines would understand that "decor" page is about Christmas Decor, as you are using "christmas" subfolder as a parent of "decor" page.

Hope this helps!

Dima,