This article explains how to remove dates from permalinks in WordPress. You’ll learn why this matters and the steps to do it. We’ll use simple language to help you understand permalinks better and improve your website.

Permalinks are the permanent web addresses for your WordPress posts and pages. They include your website’s domain name and a unique part for each piece of content. WordPress often puts dates in permalinks by default, but this isn’t always the best choice for organizing your website.

Long, confusing web addresses can make it hard for visitors to use your site. When you take out the dates, you create shorter, clearer web addresses. This makes it easier for people to find what they want on your website.

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1. Improved User Experience

Think about how frustrating it is when you see a web address full of numbers and dates. When you remove dates from permalinks, you make your website easier to use. You can create web addresses that describe what’s on the page, which helps visitors find the information they need.

For example, instead of a permalink like:

www.linkilo.com/2023/05/21/wordpress-tips-and-tricks

you can have a more user-friendly permalink such as 

www.linkilo.com/wordpress-tips-and-tricks

This small change makes your website more user-friendly.

2. Increased Click-Through Rate

Dates in web addresses can make older posts seem out of date. When someone sees an old date in search results, they might think the information isn’t useful anymore and not click on it. When you remove dates, your web addresses stay relevant no matter when you wrote the content. This means more people are likely to click on your links and visit your website.

Compare these two web addresses when someone searches for WordPress tutorials:

URL with date: 

www.linkilo.com/2018/03/15/wordpress-tutorials

Updated URL: 

www.linkilo.com/wordpress-tutorials

The new version is more likely to get clicks because it doesn’t look outdated.

3. Enhanced Search Engine Optimization

Taking dates out of permalinks can help your website show up higher in search results. When you use relevant keywords, categories, or post names in your web addresses, search engines understand your content better.

Let’s say you have a recipe blog and want to rank for “chocolate chip cookie recipe.” A web address like www.linkilo.com/chocolate-chip-cookie-recipe has a better chance of showing up in search results than www.linkilo.com/2022/05/01/chocolate-chip-cookie-recipe.

This change helps match your web addresses with what people are searching for, which can lead to more visitors from search engines.

What to Think About Before Remove Date From WordPress URL

If your WordPress blog is new, you can change your web addresses without worry. But if your site has been around for a while, consider these points:

  • Search Engine Effects: Changing web addresses can create “Page Not Found” errors. This might affect how people and search engines see your site. You might also see errors in your Google Search Console.
  • Links and Social Media Shares: Old links to your articles might stop working, which can hurt your search engine rankings. Social media share counts might reset too, as most share counting services don’t follow redirected web addresses.

It’s important to address these issues to keep your website working well for both visitors and search engines.

Now that you understand the advantages of removing dates from permalinks, let’s explore how to make this adjustment in your WordPress admin dashboard. Follow these steps:

  1. Sign into your WordPress admin dashboard via yourdomain.com/wp-admin.
  2. Click on “Settings.”
  3. Select “Permalinks.”

In the Permalink Settings, you will find various options for configuring your Permalink structure. Choose the structure that best suits your needs, such as “Post name” or a custom structure that includes relevant categories or keywords.

For instance, if you have a blog about travel destinations, you might choose the custom structure /%category%/%postname%/, which results in permalinks like www.linkilo.com/travel/rome-travel-tips.

Remember to save your changes, and WordPress will automatically update your permalinks accordingly. This simple configuration can have a profound impact on your site’s organization and user experience.

Setting Up Redirects to Keep Your Search Rankings

After you remove dates from your web addresses, you need to set up 301 redirects. These redirects help people find your content if they use an old link. They also tell search engines about your new web addresses, which helps keep your search rankings.

Easy Steps to Set Up 301 Redirects

  1. Pick a Redirect Plugin: Choose an easy-to-use, reliable redirect plugin. You can find free and paid options in the WordPress plugin directory.
  2. Install Your Chosen Plugin: Install and activate the plugin through your WordPress dashboard.
  3. Create Your Redirects: Use the plugin to set up 301 redirects from your old web addresses (with dates) to the new ones without dates. Most plugins make this process straightforward.

Conclusion

Taking dates out of your WordPress permalinks can make your website easier to use, increase the number of people who click on your links, and improve your search engine visibility. With clearer, more descriptive web addresses, visitors will find it easier to use your site. This can lead to more engagement and happier visitors.

Try the steps we’ve outlined in this guide. If you need help, don’t hesitate to contact our expert support team at Linkilo. We’re here to help you improve your permalinks and make your WordPress website even better.