Have you ever wondered why some websites use long, keyword-rich URLs, while others use compact and minimalistic ones? Studies show that short URLs can increase click-through rates. But does it affect your website's rankings on Google? Let's find out.
Google has repeatedly stated that URL length alone is not a ranking factor. However, a clear and structured URL can have a positive impact on the usability and indexing of pages. The main criteria for evaluating a URL by a search engine:
Clarity and logic - the URL should reflect the content of the page.
No unnecessary characters - long and complex URLs can confuse both users and bots.
Use of keywords - it helps the search engine to understand the topic of the page.
Short links hide the original URL, which can make it difficult to index. That is why Google treats them with caution . Let's take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of short hyperlinks
Advantages:
They look neat and are user-friendly.
They increase clickability.
They save space in the text and on social media.
Disadvantages:
You lose the opportunity to use keywords in the URL.
They can cause less trust among users.
Google may perceive them as potentially dangerous due to their frequent use in spam.
How do short links affect SEO?
Shortened links by themselves do not improve a website's position in Google, but they can influence behavioral factors if they increase the click-through rate. If they redirect to a high-quality page, Google will still index the original URL. Google treats a 301 redirect (commonly used in shortening services) almost exactly the same as a regular URL. That is, if a short link leads to a reputable website, it can transfer some of its “weight”, but the fact that short URLs are used is not a ranking factor.
If you are promoting your website in search engines, it is better to use clear and meaningful URLs. Shortened URLs can be useful for marketing campaigns, but they do not provide SEO benefits. In some cases, they can even be harmful if Google considers them potentially spammy. Interestingly, although short links don't directly affect SEO, they can increase traffic by generating more clicks. And more clicks mean more chances to attract new visitors, which indirectly affects behavioral factors. Therefore, the correct use of short URLs is more a matter of marketing approach than search engine optimization.