Rank Math SEO Settings: Best Practices for Removing Category Prefixes from URLs

A concise URL structure helps with website SEO and makes it easier for readers to remember and access. Many webmasters use Rank Math SEO When you are trying to delete category prefix (/category/) from a URL, you may encounter the problem of "Deleting category prefix (/category/) from a URL". In this article, we will take you step by step to understand the function of category prefix, whether it is appropriate to remove it or not, and the best way to set it in Rank Math.

1. What is a URL category prefix?

By default, WordPress categorizationThe directory link will have the /category/ Prefixes, for example:

https://example.com/category/seo/

Here. category is the default prefix WordPress adds to category pages to distinguish between different types of content.

The role of category prefixes:

• Distinguish between categories and pages: Avoid URL Conflict.

• default structure: WordPress stable routing logic.

For webmasters who want to make their URLs shorter and more SEO-friendly, removing the /category/ Prefixes are a common requirement.

2. whether removing category prefixes has an impact on SEO

Many people worry that removing prefixes will negatively impact SEO. In fact:

• set up 301 Redirect(from prefixed to unprefixed) when search rankings are not impaired.

• Short links have a cleaner structure that facilitates sharing.
• Removing the prefix needs to avoid conflicting with the URL of the page or post, or else it will produce a 404 ErrorThe

Removing category prefixes is safe and effective for SEO as long as it is properly configured.

3. Methods for removing category prefixes in Rank Math SEO

Rank Math provides simple options without installing additional plugins. Below are the steps to do so:

3.1 Enable Remove Category Prefixes in Rank Math

• Log in to the WordPress backend.
• Go to the left menu [Rank Math] → [General Settings].

• Click the Links tab.

• Find and check the "Strip Category Base"(Remove Category Base) option.

• Save changes.

At this point, the classificationlink (on a website)Will be from:

https://example.com/category/seo/

Change to:

https://example.com/seo/

3.2 Whether or not Rank Math automatically handles redirects

Rank Math will automatically set up 301 redirects so that old links will jump to new links without affecting the included pages.

4. Best practices for deleting category prefixes

To minimize SEO risks, the following practices are recommended:

4.1 Enabling Automatic Redirection in Rank Math
expose /category/ of the old link automatically jumps to the new link.

4.2 Checking for Category URL and Page URL Conflicts
If the page Slug Same as categorized directories, removing the prefix will conflict, requiring changes to the URL structure or the category alias.

4.3 Updating Website Cache and CDNs
After removing the prefix, clean the cache and CDNThe URL update will take effect when the URL is updated.

4.4 Updating internal links
Rank Math will do the jump, but it's best to put the article'sinternal linkUpdate to new structure to reduce multiple redirects.

5. Summary

Removing category prefixes from URLs makes website links more concise, brings SEO and reading convenience. In Rank Math SEO, in the [Links] setting, check "Strip Category Base", the system will automatically handle the jump, the operation is simple and stable.

Contact Us
Can't read the tutorial? Contact us for a free answer! Free help for personal, small business sites!	Customer Service
① Tel: 020-2206-9892
② QQ咨询：1025174874
(iii) E-mail: [email protected]
④ Working hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30-18:30, holidays off