2 months ago
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Google updates Search documentation with standardized URL parameter guidelines, recommending "=" and "&" for optimal website crawling.
- Google recommends using "=" and "&" for URL parameters.
- Non-standard parameter formats like colons and commas should be avoided.
- While not directly impacting rankings, these guidelines help prevent crawling and indexing issues.
In a recent update to its Search Central documentation, Google has added specific guidelines for URL parameter formatting.
The update brings parameter formatting recommendations from a faceted navigation blog post into the main URL structure documentation, making these guidelines more accessible.
Key Updates
The new documentation specifies that developers should use the following:
- Equal signs (=) to separate key-value pairs
- Ampersands (&) to connect multiple parameters
Google recommends against using alternative separators such as:
- Colons and brackets
- Single or double commas
Why This Matters
URL parameters play a role in website functionality, particularly for e-commerce sites and content management systems.
They control everything from product filtering and sorting to tracking codes and session IDs.
While powerful, they can create SEO challenges like duplicate content and crawl budget waste.
Proper parameter formatting ensures better crawling efficiency and can help prevent common indexing issues that affect search performance.
The documentation addresses broader URL parameter challenges, such as managing dynamic content generation, handling session IDs, and effectively implementing sorting parameters.
Previous Guidance
Before this update, developers had to reference an old blog post about faceted navigation to find specific URL parameter formatting guidelines.
Consolidating this information into the main guidelines makes it easier to find.
The updated documentation can be found in Google’s Search Central documentation under the Crawling and Indexing section.
Looking Ahead
If you’re using non-standard parameter formats, start planning a migration to the standard format. Ensure proper redirects, and monitor your crawl stats during the switch.
While Google has not said non-standard parameters will hurt rankings, this update clarifies what they prefer. New sites and redesigns should adhere to the standard format to avoid future headaches.
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SEJ STAFF Matt G. Southern Senior News Writer at Search Engine Journal
Matt G. Southern, Senior News Writer, has been with Search Engine Journal since 2013. With a bachelor’s degree in communications, ...
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