How To Change Permalink In WordPress? [in 2023]

Written by: Mark Coleman
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Are you struggling to change the permalink in WordPress? As a WordPress user, you may find yourself in a situation where you need to change the permalink structure of your website or individual posts and pages.

But, do you know how to do it? In this blog post, we will guide you through the process of changing the permalink in WordPress.

We will also discuss why and when you should change the permalink to improve your website’s SEO, maintain consistency during rebranding, and enhance readability.

Additionally, we will provide solutions to common issues you may face while changing the permalink in WordPress.

As experts in WordPress, we have vast experience in this topic, and we’ll share our knowledge with you.

If you prefer to watch a video tutorial on how to Change Permalink In WordPress, check out this video tutorial:

How To Change Permalink In WordPress?

Here is how to change the permalink in WordPress:

  1. Open your WordPress dashboard and click on “Settings”.
  2. Click on “Permalink”.
  3. You will see that the current permalink is set to “Plain”.
  4. Select the desired permalink structure from the options available. For example, if you select “Post name”, your URL will show up like this: “howtooneminute.com/post-name”.
  5. Click on “Save Changes” to apply the new permalink structure.
  6. If you want to change the permalink of a particular post or page, go to that post or page and click on “Edit”.
  7. Click on “Permalink” and enter the custom permalink you want for that post or page.
  8. Click on “Update” to save the changes.
  9. Refresh the page to see the new permalink in action.

That’s it! By following these simple steps, you can easily change the permalink structure of your WordPress website and customize the permalink of individual posts and pages to make them more SEO-friendly.

Can’t Change Permalink In WordPress – How to Fix It?

Changing permalinks in WordPress is a simple task, but sometimes users face issues while changing them. If you can’t change the permalink in WordPress, here are a few possible solutions:

1. Check Your .htaccess File

The .htaccess file is a critical component of WordPress that controls the server configuration. If you can’t change the permalink in WordPress, it might be due to a problem with your .htaccess file. You can try renaming the file, and WordPress will generate a new one automatically. To do this, connect to your website via FTP, locate the .htaccess file, and rename it to something like .htaccess_old.

2. Check Your Plugin Compatibility

Sometimes, plugins can cause issues with permalinks in WordPress. If you recently installed or updated a plugin, try disabling it to see if that fixes the issue. You can also try disabling all plugins and then re-enabling them one by one to identify the problematic plugin.

3. Check Your WordPress Version

If you can’t change the permalink in WordPress, it might be due to an outdated version of WordPress. Check if there is an available update and install it if there is.

4. Check Your Hosting Server

If none of the above solutions work, the issue might be with your hosting server. Contact your hosting provider and ask them to check if there are any server-side issues that are causing the problem.

In conclusion, if you can’t change the permalink in WordPress, try the solutions mentioned above. These solutions should help you fix the issue and change the permalink in WordPress successfully.

Why and When Should You Change Permalink in WordPress?

Changing the permalink in WordPress can be important for several reasons. Here are some situations when you should consider changing your permalink:

  1. SEO optimization: Permalinks play a crucial role in SEO optimization. A well-structured permalink can help search engines understand your content better and rank it higher in search results. So, if you have a poorly structured permalink, or if you want to include your target keyword in the URL, you should consider changing it.
  2. Rebranding: If you are rebranding your website or changing your domain name, you should update your permalinks to reflect the new changes. This will help maintain the consistency of your website and avoid broken links.
  3. Improving readability: A good permalink should be short, descriptive, and easy to remember. If your current permalink is too long, contains irrelevant information, or is hard to remember, you should consider changing it to improve readability.

Changing the permalink in WordPress is a simple process. You can do it either for your entire website or for individual posts and pages. To change the permalink for your entire website, go to Settings > Permalinks in your WordPress dashboard and choose the desired structure. To change the permalink for a specific post or page, go to the editor, click on the permalink field, and enter your desired URL.

In conclusion, changing the permalink in WordPress can help improve your website’s SEO, maintain consistency during rebranding, and enhance readability. So, if you find yourself in any of the situations mentioned above, don’t hesitate to change your permalink.

Conclusion – Change Permalink In WordPress

Changing the permalink in WordPress is a crucial task that every WordPress user should know how to do.

By following the simple steps we have outlined, you can easily change the permalink structure of your website and customize the permalink of individual posts and pages to make them more SEO-friendly.

If you encounter any issues while changing the permalink, you can try the solutions we have provided to fix the problem.

Remember that a well-structured permalink can help improve your website’s SEO, maintain consistency during rebranding, and enhance readability.

So, if you find yourself in any of the situations mentioned above, don’t hesitate to change your permalink.

As experts in WordPress, we hope this blog post has been helpful in guiding you through the process of changing the permalink in WordPress.

Mark Coleman - HowTOBuildWebsites
Written by Mark Coleman


Mark Coleman is the founder of HowToBuildWebsites.org, which provides comprehensive tutorials on website builders like WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, Webflow, and Shopify. He graduated from the University of North Texas with a business degree, developing an interest in web design's changing landscape and website builders' potential.

Mark enjoys experimenting with new web technologies, refining his web development skills, and actively participating in web design and development communities.

Learn more about him and read his articles here on HowToBuildWebsites.org.

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