Google’s Updated URL Parameter Guidelines – Here’s What You Need to Know

Google's latest Search Central documentation brings critical updates for developers on URL parameter usage—detailing best practices that prioritize = and & symbols to maintain optimal site crawlability. By moving these guidelines from a previous blog post into their main documentation, Google has made these recommendations much more accessible for web professionals.

Key Updates:

• Standard Parameter Format: The documentation emphasizes using = to separate key-value pairs and & to link multiple parameters.
• Avoid Non-Standard Symbols: Non-standard symbols such as colons, brackets, and commas are discouraged as they may lead to crawling and indexing issues.

Why This Matters

For websites with dynamic URL structures, especially those involving sorting, filtering, or session IDs, URL parameters are vital. They allow for efficient functionality but can create SEO challenges such as duplicate content and crawl inefficiency. Following these new guidelines can prevent unnecessary content duplication, enhancing overall user experience by focusing Google’s attention on key pages.

Previously…

Until this update, developers had to reference an older faceted navigation blog post to access specific URL guidelines. Integrating this information into the main documentation now makes it far easier for developers to adopt.

Looking Ahead

If your site currently uses non-standard URL formats, it may be time to consider a switch. Proper redirects and monitoring can ensure a smooth transition. Google hasn’t specified any ranking penalties for non-standard parameters, but aligning with these recommendations will prepare your site for better crawling efficiency and a more consistent experience.

Stay ahead of the curve with Google’s updated guidelines, and ensure that your site maintains an optimized, crawl-friendly structure.