In plain English
WordPress offers several structures: post name, date-based, numeric. Post name is the usual choice for readable, durable URLs.
Changing the structure after launch changes every URL on the site. Without redirects, every existing link and ranking points at a page that no longer exists.
What to know
Set in settings
Applied site-wide.
Post name is standard
Readable and durable.
Changing breaks links
All of them, at once.
Requires redirects
If changed after launch.
Why it matters
Set the structure before publishing anything. It is a two-minute decision at the start and a redirect project later.
Common mistakes
×Changing permalink structure on an established site with no redirects.
×Date-based URLs on evergreen content.
×Long URLs stuffed with keywords.
×Including category in the permalink, then reorganising categories.
FAQs
Which permalink structure should I use?
Post name, in almost all cases.
What if I have to change it?
Map every old URL to its new one with 301 redirects before switching.
WRITTEN BY TARIQ SALLAM
Marketing Consultant. Entrepreneur. Content Creator.
I'm a marketing consultant, entrepreneur and content creator. I help businesses grow through practical marketing, websites, SEO, content and AI.
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