The slug is the last part of a web address that identifies a specific page. In yourdevil.shop/blog/what-is-a-url-slug, the slug is 'what-is-a-url-slug'. It looks like a small detail, but a clean slug makes a link easier to trust, remember and share — and it gives search engines a hint about what the page covers.
Good slug vs bad slug
- Good: /blog/strong-password-guide
- Bad: /blog/post.php?id=4821&cat=7
- Bad: /blog/The%20Ultimate%20Guide%20To%20Strong%20Passwords%20In%202026!!!
Seven rules for clean slugs
- Use lowercase letters only
- Separate words with hyphens, not underscores or spaces
- Keep it short: three to six words is usually enough
- Include the main keyword naturally
- Remove filler words like 'a', 'the' and 'and' when they add nothing
- Avoid dates if you plan to update the article later
- Never use special characters or emojis
Should you change an old slug?
Only if it is truly confusing. Changing a slug breaks every existing link to that page. If you must change it, set up a permanent (301) redirect from the old address to the new one so visitors and search engines are sent to the right place.
Slugs for online shops
For product pages, describe the product rather than repeating the category: /products/black-leather-wallet is better than /products/wallets-wallet-black-123. Keep variant details such as size and colour in filters, not in the slug, so you do not create many near-duplicate pages.
Create one in a second
Paste any title into the Legend Tools Slug Generator. It lowercases the text, removes accents and symbols, and joins words with hyphens, giving you a clean slug you can copy straight into WordPress, Shopify or any CMS.