Drupal 7 Warning
Every time you create a new page, your Drupal website automatically assigns it a URL alias (web address). Ideally, you should change the alias to match your website organization. Read on to find out how.
What is an Alias?
It is a URL that can be read and understood by humans and search engine robots alike.
- This is a URL: www.drupal.gatech.edu/node/1985 (I don't have any idea where this link might take me.)
- This is a URL alias: www.drupal.gatech.edu/organize-navigation/url-alias (It links to the same page, but I can easily see where I'll go if I click the link.)
Why Should I Change the Drupal-Generated Alias?
- Because Drupal ignores your website's hierarchy or site structure. It assigns every page to the same level, whether it is your homepage or a sub-page.
- Because no matter what menu your page actually lives under, a Drupal-generated URL makes it look like your page belongs to the top level of the primary menu.
To What Should I Change the Page Alias?
- While you are in Edit Mode, scroll to the bottom of the page and click on "Menu Settings."
- Look at the "Parent Item" of the page.
- Go to "URL Path Settings"
- Uncheck the box next to "Generate Automatic URL alias."
- In the "URL Alias" field, type the "Parent Item" words in front of your page title.
- Separate the words with dashes and remove common words.
- Do not put a "/" before the URL.
- When you are done, click the "Save" button.
What Else Should I Know About URL Aliases?
- Think about a filing cabinet. Paperwork is much easier to find when it is assigned to a clearly labeled folder. The same rule applies to organizing the Web pages within a website. Humans prefer simple, logical organization, and so do search engines.
- Always use lowercase letters. Never capitalize words in a URL.
- Remove any extraneous words (such as "and" or "the").
- Use dashes ( - ) between each word. Do not use underscores ( _ ), and do not smushwordstogether.
- Do not end your alias with a “/”.
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