Google: URLs Provide Minimal Additional Signals For Search Engines

Jan 6, 2025 - 7:31 am 5 by

Google Browser Bar

The topic of URLs for SEO and ranking is one that has been around since search engines first existed and 25+ years later, it is still a popular topic. Google has said time and time again that keywords in URLs don't offer a significant ranking boost for SEO and ranking purposes and Google said it again in 2025.

John Mueller of Google said on Bluesky, I also wouldn't expect that to change anything visibly. Taking a step back, the URL alone brings minimal additional "signal" for search engines."

John said what does matter, which is "the content + everything else bring a lot of strong signals," he wrote. "Even changing from ?id=12345 to /cheese wouldn't be a big/noticable thing on its own," he added.

Here is the full response:

I also wouldn't expect that to change anything visibly. Taking a step back, the URL alone brings minimal additional "signal" for search engines. The content + everything else bring a lot of strong signals. Even changing from ?id=12345 to /cheese wouldn't be a big/noticable thing on its own.

URL structure is fantastic for your own metrics & tracking, it makes things so much easier to group. It's also great if you want to separate something out from the rest of your site (eg ugc. yoursite. com). The user-facing part is also strong.

User-facing, they probably (how do phones show it nowadays?) mostly see the domain name + get a glimpse of the often-hilarious length when sharing URLs on social / chat. I doubt users would even consciously notice anything in the path, for example.

Now, this is far from the first time John has said this, here are some of our stories over the years (some go as far back as 2006):

Forum discussion at Bluesky.

 

Popular Categories

The Pulse of the search community

Search Video Recaps

 
Video Details More Videos Subscribe to Videos

Most Recent Articles

Search Forum Recap

Daily Search Forum Recap: July 10, 2025

Jul 10, 2025 - 10:00 am
Google Updates

Google June 2025 Core Update Leading To Some Partial HCU Recoveries

Jul 10, 2025 - 7:51 am
Google Search Engine Optimization

Google Search Console Performance Report Average Position Bug?

Jul 10, 2025 - 7:41 am
Google Ads

Google Search Ads People Also Consider Carousel Format

Jul 10, 2025 - 7:31 am
Google Maps

Google Business Profiles Drops Utility Bill As Evidence For Appeal

Jul 10, 2025 - 7:21 am
Google

Google AI Mode Comes To Circle to Search and Lens

Jul 10, 2025 - 7:11 am
Previous Story: Google: Core Updates Do Not Impact Site Name Changes