SEO FAQ: Naming Files

When it comes to Naming Files, why generically name a page “product3.html” when it can be “specific-product-name.html”? Keep in mind that search engines can have trouble deciphering multiple words that are all strung together without a break. Words separated by an underscore character are read as one long word as well. Use hyphens (-) to separate multiple words in file names and directory names.

Ask questions or post comments about naming your website files here.

Posted on Wed, June 9, 2010 by Christopher Nelson

4 comments (Add your own)

1. Eric McClure wrote:: On Naming Files I knew the importance. I just never really knew how to present them in a better way. I have found excellent advice throughout this entire guide... thanks!
Thu, August 5, 2010 @ 12:48 PM
2. Christopher Nelson wrote:: Thanks Eric! I wish you luck in the rest of your optimizations!
Thu, August 5, 2010 @ 12:49 PM
3. Jeffrey Nichols wrote:: It says in your blog that it's bad to separate image filenames with hyphens, and the good example in that post shows the image filename as one whole word (no hyphens or underscores at all). Why is it bad to separate the words with hyphens in your image filenames?

Thanks!
Jeffrey
Sun, November 7, 2010 @ 12:40 AM
4. Christopher Nelson wrote:: Wow, that was a typo on my part. Thanks to your comment, I've gone and edited that blog post. Thanks for catching it! I meant to say this:

Image Examples:

Good: pretty-red-flowers.jpg
Bad: prettyredflowers.jpg

When in doubt, always use hyphens in file names. Thanks!
Sun, November 7, 2010 @ 1:48 AM

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