As mentioned in previous sections of this post, the URL structure of your website may have an impact on both UX and SEO. Google, for example, recommends arranging content such that URLs are formed logically and in a way that viewers can understand. This is only one of a few Google tips, so if you are interested, we recommend looking at others.
When you modify your permalink structure, it is possible that previously functional URLs will lead to 404 errors when visited. Backlinks are a crucial SEO factor, and modifying permalinks might result in their loss.
When other websites link to your content, the permalink is generally used to point to the exact page or post. If you modify it without setting up a redirect, the referring backlinks will become invalid, resulting in a loss of prospective traffic.
As Google Search Central indicated in the video, altering URLs may make it difficult for search engines to crawl and index your website.
Changing permalinks can also have an impact on social sharing. Visitors often share the URLs via social media, and if you change the permalink, the shared links will become invalid, resulting in a loss of potential traffic and social signals.
To prevent 404 errors caused by URL changes, the Permalink Manager plugin includes a fallback mechanism. This feature automatically redirects non-canonical URL versions to the canonical URL defined by the plugin. It is especially beneficial once you have changed your permalinks since any previously active URLs will be automatically redirected to the new ones.