Why Do Links on Unicorn Platform Always Have a Slash?

If you've noticed that all the links to your items on your homepage are automatically redirected to include a trailing slash ( /), you're not alone. This is how Unicorn Platform is designed to handle URLs, following a widely adopted approach for web pages.

Why Are Trailing Slashes Used?

Unicorn Platform enforces trailing slashes at the end of URLs to ensure consistency and improve website performance. Here’s why:

1. Consistent URL Structure – Keeping all page URLs in the same format prevents duplicate versions of the same page and ensures a smooth browsing experience.
2. SEO Best Practices – Search engines may treat URLs with and without trailing slashes as separate pages if there are no redirects or canonical tags in place. Enforcing a single format prevents duplicate content issues and maintains SEO integrity.
3. Better Performance – Ensuring all links follow the same format helps avoid unnecessary redirects, which can slow down page loading.
4. Automatic Redirection – If a user visits a URL without a trailing slash, Platform automatically redirects them to the correct version. However, avoiding these redirects from the start helps improve page speed.

Writing Better Link Text for SEO

When adding links, using the right text makes a big difference for both users and search engines.

Avoid these common mistakes:

1. **Generic phrases like "Click here" or "Read more" ** – These don’t give users or search engines any context about the link’s destination.

More generic link text:

'click here', 'click this', 'go', 'here', 'this', 'start', 'right here', 'more', 'learn more'

2. **Just a URL **(e.g.,"https://example.com") – They are difficult to read and don’t provide useful information.

3. Single words like "here" – Not helpful for navigation.

4. Repeating the same link text for different pages – Using identical link text for different destinations can be confusing. Ensure the link text provides enough context.

Tips for Great Link Text

For better SEO and user experience, try this instead:

• Use clear and descriptive text that explains where the link goes.
• Include relevant keywords naturally.
• Keep it concise while still providing enough context.
• Make sure the link makes sense on its own (e.g., instead of "Click here for pricing," use "See our pricing plans").

The platform ensures a consistent URL structure, which is beneficial for both SEO and user experience.

By maintaining a consistent URL structure, your site stays well-organized, SEO-friendly, and optimized for faster loading.

Updated on: 27/02/2025