Dynamic URL: what is it and how to use it

Uniform Resource Locator, also known as URL, is a unified resource locator. This is what the system displays in the browser line after you go to a certain site. Often, it hides the name of the resource itself, as well as the specifics of its work. It is enough to simply look at this name to understand what type of site is in front of you and what information you can find on it. A URL is assigned not only to websites, but also to everything else that is uploaded to the Internet, which option can be text documents, images, photos, videos and much more.

You have already encountered this solution more than once and know what it looks like in reality. But in some cases, you have probably already noticed non-standard URL addresses. Those that additionally contain an incomprehensible set of letter and symbolic values. And at first glance, it may seem that you have a completely meaningless mixture in front of you. But this is not so: each symbol plays its own important role in the name. It's just that you have a dynamic analogue rather than a classic static URL address.

As part of its review today, we will try to understand in more detail what such addresses are, who will need them, and whether they pose a threat to the SEO indicators of the site. Let's consider several examples that will help you understand the structure and specifics of these addresses. We will highlight the key advantages and disadvantages of this solution, as well as the main differences from classic static analogues. The information provided will help you understand this issue and whether it is worth using dynamic URLs directly on your site.

You may also want to know what a static IP address is?

Getting to know what a dynamic URL is

If everything is more or less clear with a static URL, which retains its name throughout the entire period of use, then dynamic analogues raise many questions. From the name itself, you can understand that here we are talking about dynamism, that is, inconstancy, variability of the page address. It turns out that both the URL itself and the contents of the page to which it is linked are not present on the server in a permanent form in the HTML document. Here is the display in response to a specific user request.

A dynamic URL may also include a script or a database. In the case where the database receives a corresponding request, the server, using a programming language, will generate a unique dynamic URL, which will initially contain information with a set of parameters and filters specific to a specific request. It is thanks to this technology that users of sites that have a filter system automatically get to the page they need.

A striking example here would be the sites of the same online stores. It turns out that when a user sets a search filter on the main page, the system itself generates a completely new page that corresponds to specific requests. Let's assume that you have visited an online store of household appliances and want to choose a narrow Samsung washing machine for yourself, as an option with a width of 300 to 400 mm. First of all, you will set the appropriate parameters in the filter block. In response to your request, the system will generate a completely separate page where all narrow washing machines of the Samsung brand will be displayed. And the URL of such a machine will look something like this «https://salon.com/washing machine?brand=samsung&finishcolour=grey&depthmmmin=300&depthmmmax=400»

As you can see, such symbols as «&», «?», «=» have already appeared in the name. They significantly complicate the perception of the name. But this is the only way to ensure the most simple and convenient sorting of goods, the choice of those solutions that will be the most optimal for you.

And here, most likely, you will have a question related to whether the search engine scans dynamic URLs and adds such pages to the index? We will answer it right away: yes, it does. But there is one significant nuance: static URLs will still have an advantage over dynamic ones in this process. And the main problem here is that dynamic URLs are created after the user has formed his own request. Under the conditions of such, let's say, intensive work, it will be difficult for search engines to instantly determine the content of such a page, as well as assess its relevance.

Who and when should use dynamic URLs

Dynamic URLs are a standard solution for all Internet pages where there is a search filter system, as well as for resources that present an impressive amount of information. Such online services include:

• Online stores. We have already shown an example of how this works above. That is, the system will generate a completely new page with a dynamic URL every time you use the provided filter system and select those items from the catalog that match your requests.
• Search engine. After the user enters the corresponding request in the search bar and clicks on the search button, he receives a page with the corresponding selection at the output. Some of the URLs presented on it can also be dynamic. Such a solution is often used in practice to attract as many users as possible, providing more flexible search parameters.
• Electronic services of the media. This is relevant for cases when users want to view a publication for a particular date, or from a certain author, a topic of interest to them. That is, in response to your action, the system will also generate a separate page with a dynamic URL.
• Hotel, train and plane ticket booking services. Most of them use a fairly large number of criteria for selection. If we talk directly about hotels, this will be the country, region, number of stars, room type, food options, distance from the center/historical attractions, etc. Accordingly, the search results will also be different based on the personal requests of users. That is, a separate page with a dynamic URL will be generated.
• Advertisement, specialized links. Here, dynamic addresses of pages containing content for users who will go to them in accordance with what links or ads they click on before that.
• User profiles in social networks. Here, a dynamic URL of the page will also be generated depending on what identifier is assigned to a particular user.

As you can see, dynamic URLs are a fairly popular solution today, that is, they can be found on the Internet quite often. All that remains is to determine whether your business needs such a solution.

What does a dynamic URL consist of?

We have already said that a dynamic URL is more complex than its static counterparts. It will consist of two separate semantic blocks. Let's show this using the example of the address we gave above, namely “https://salon.com/washing machine?brand=samsung&finishcolour=grey&depthmmmin=300&depthmmmax=400”. So, here:

1. https://salon.com/washing machine is a static address of a page that already exists on the site. In this case, it will present all the washing machines that are available for sale in the online store "Salon".
2. ?brand=samsung&finishcolour=grey&depthmmmin=300&depthmmmax=400 - additional variables that will be automatically registered by the server in response to the settings that the user sets through the filter system. In this case, this is the brand name of the washing machines (samsung), color scheme (grey), the minimum and maximum width of the washing machine (300 and 400 mm, respectively).

When setting a dynamic URL, a format such as “key=value” is very often used. That is, a certain parameter and its value are specified using the “=” sign. In our case, such options as “brand=samsung”, “colour=grey”, etc. In fact, there are quite a lot of parameters that will be used when forming dynamic URLs, and they primarily depend on the product in question and what distinctive parameters will be typical for it. To separate individual parameters, a question mark (?) and an ampersand (&) are used.

Getting to know dynamic URLs using examples

In order to better understand the features of dynamic URLs, let's look at a few examples. We would like to draw your attention to the fact that the format of the entry in this case will directly depend on what sites and products we are dealing with in a particular situation.

URL parameters that are written in words

Let's imagine that at the moment you want to choose a beige tracksuit of size M. You go to the corresponding site and select 3 filters for yourself: size (M), color (beige), and the size of the discount you want to receive (let's say 40%). When you mark the corresponding parameters and click the "Apply" button, the site will generate a completely new page with a dynamic address for you. In this case, it will look like this:

https://magazin.com/collection/sports_suit.html?color= beige&size=tМ&label=40

In principle, such a record is quite easy to understand:

• https://magazin.com/collection/sports_suit - this is the main catalog of the online store with tracksuits, a static address;
• color= beige - indicates beige color;
• size=tМ - determines the size of the tracksuit;
• label=40 - this is that you are interested in models with a 40% discount.

The "&" sign is used to separate these parameters in the URL. But with the help of the «?» symbol, the static part of the address is separated from the dynamic part. This example is the simplest, although it is encountered quite often in practice. But there are more complex solutions.

Parameters in URLs that are written in numbers

As an example, let's consider the case when you are choosing the same beige tracksuit for yourself, but this time on fleece in the same size M, but now you want to set a suitable price range for yourself, say $100-$120. After the relevant parameters are marked, a separate page will be generated in accordance with your requests with the following dynamic URL:

https://magazin.com/collection/sports_suit.html?color=09&price=100-120&size=10&insulation_fleece=120

As you can see, such a dynamic URL is completely incomprehensible in perception. But this is only for you, and not for the system itself, because there is an internal marking of the product in the online store system, namely:

• color=09 — this is the same beige color, but in the database it is marked with the number 9;
• price=100-120 — this is the price range that will be optimal for you;
• size=10 – size M, but already in accordance with the number in the database;
• insulation_fleece=120 - indicates a fleece insulation, which is assigned the value "120" in the database.

Despite the fact that such a dynamic URL is almost unreadable for the user, the system clearly understands what they wanted to get from it and gives you a corresponding selection of tracksuits.

Parameters in URLs that show the overall dimensions of the product

This is the example that we looked at above using the washing machine as an example. We will not describe everything here too much, just remind you that in accordance with your requests, a page with such a dynamic URL is formed:

https://salon.com/washing machine?brand=samsung&finishcolour=grey&depthmmmin=300&depthmmmax=400

In this case, the main parameters that you set in the filter system will be the following:

• brand=samsung — indicate that you are choosing a Samsung brand washing machine.
• finishcolour=grey – indicates that you are interested in the grey color of the machine;
• depthmmmin=300 — describes the minimum depth of the washing machine;
• depthmmmax=400 - indicates the maximum depth of the washing machine that is permissible for you.

As a result, your page will display all the washing machines that are on the seller's website from the Samsung brand in the color "gray metallic" with a depth of 300 to 400 mm.

Parameters in URLs that indicate the country, language

Let's say you want to buy the same tracksuit, but from the Zara brand. These products are presented in online stores in different countries: Spain, Portugal, Poland, etc. Let's say you are interested in Portugal, but the language you want to see on the page should be English. In response to such filters, the system will provide you with a dynamic page of this format:

https://magazin.com/collection/sports_suit?brand=zara&country=pt&language=en

The decoding of this dynamic URL will look like this:

• brand=zara — this is the Zara brand;
• country=pt — indicates that you are interested in a tracksuit from the Portuguese representative office of Zara;
• language=en — this is that the information on the page with your selection will be displayed in English.

In practice, a similar solution can also be found in cases of various online magazines and other services presented in different countries of the world in different languages.

Dynamic URL of a paid social network

In this case, we are talking about what dynamic address the system will give you when you click on a specialized ad in the same social network Instagram. You will get something similar:

https://adventures.com/sip/justanswer-2?r=ppc|la|17|US-Tech-Topic-Content-All-Devices|||&JSKG=&JKDD=R&WPLT= adventures. com&DSKG=6314863210153& JSKG=&JKDD=d&JPAF=img&JPSC=2&JVCL=&JROG=&cmpid=23212638124&agid=138732558981&fiid=&tgtid=&ntw=d&dvc=c&gclid=ELIaIDobBhVImI2NmOqkhSMTVA5iAz1kMwRHEQEYUSPAEhLEesD_BnK

This is one of the more complex URLs out there. The key points to note are:

• adventures.com — this is the site from which you will go to Instagram;
• US-Tech-Topic-Content-All-Devices - this is what will indicate the ability to view information on any type of device;
• all other symbols - this is internal system information containing data on the user ID, as well as the specifics of the advertising itself.

As you can see, it is not possible to understand anything from such a URL address. In addition, it is very long, which significantly complicates its perception and makes it impossible to remember.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of dynamic URLs?

There are a number of more than worthy advantages to using dynamic URLs in practice. In particular:

• Easier and faster page correction. In this case, you will have to open the HTML file if you need to make any adjustments to the page itself. Now these works can be done through the administrative panel of your resource. It is convenient that all these changes will automatically be distributed to all dynamic addresses.
• The ability to provide users with highly personalized pages - those that will take into account in detail their individual wishes for technical parameters, color, taste and other personal parameters. Most of them also provide the ability to sort results by price, namely, to arrange positions in the search results in ascending or descending price, by discount size, etc.
• Ensuring faster work with sites containing large amounts of data. This will be especially relevant for multi-page product catalogs. In the event that you have to work with hundreds or even thousands of different pages, then you simply cannot do without dynamic addresses.
• Formation of relevant content. In any case, users will be provided with the most recent material, collected in strict accordance with their wishes and requests.
• Optimal work with temporary content. This solution will be effective in practice in the case of launching promotional offers and other similar content that is valid only for a certain period of time. In order for this idea to work in practice, it is necessary to ensure indexing of dynamic pages.

But still, despite a number of fairly significant advantages, dynamic URLs also have significant disadvantages. And one of the most serious “minuses” here is a fairly large address length. This is what significantly complicates, and in most cases even makes it impossible to remember and, as a result, does not allow you to enter them manually. Another problem is the lack of keywords. But this is exactly what can rightfully be called one of the key aspects in SEO-optimization of pages. In dynamic URLs, keywords are replaced with additional parameters. There is no way to do without this, but the page rating may suffer from this.

Many experts also attribute the difficulty of perceiving the address to the disadvantages. So, if a person looks at a dynamic URL, he will hardly be able to understand what information it contains. This means that, unlike static addresses, there is no descriptive information about the page content. It is impossible to say for sure how significant this disadvantage is. The thing is that a person who visits a website and sorts products according to individual requests is unlikely to pay attention to what URL the system ultimately generated.

But what you should definitely take into account is the possibility of a 404 error if you copy or add such an address. The thing is that the program can automatically cut off part of the link, namely the one that contains user characteristics. As a result, you simply won’t be able to visit the corresponding page, or, alternatively, re-enter it if necessary.

And dynamic URLs can also cause duplicate content. The thing is that you can generate identical pages even when using different filters. In the example with the washing machine that we gave above, this is possible if you specify not the brand in the filters, but the country of manufacture. As a result, the system will generate identical pages: with different addresses, but the same content. And in this case, it may happen that your page will go down in search results, and the entire budget that was spent on scanning it will be empty.

Another fairly common opinion about dynamic URLs is that they cause mistrust among users. And again, the main reason here is their large length, the presence of complex characters. But this will only be relevant for those users who do not understand at all how the dynamism of addresses works in this case, how the system filters materials for their requests. We must not forget that it is difficult for search bots to find dynamic content. In view of this, there is always a risk that the system will consider your material uninteresting and decide not to add it to the search results at all.

The main differences between static and dynamic URLs

To more deeply understand such an issue as dynamic URLs, it is still very important to understand in detail how they differ from static analogues. Now let's highlight the key advantages and disadvantages of each such solution:

1. Static URLs. In the example we looked at above, such an address would look like this: https://salon.com/washing machine. The main advantages of this solution include a shorter entry, the presence of relevant keywords that will have a positive impact on the effectiveness of SEO optimization and the promotion of the site to the top of search results. Static addresses are much easier to remember. The point here is not only that they contain fewer characters, but also directly in their constancy. If a person often visits the same page, then he will definitely remember its address and will be able to easily enter it in the search bar. Static URLs have a more positive effect on users, which has a positive effect on the number of transitions. In addition, even the process of copying and distribution itself will be simpler. But still, there are also disadvantages. In particular, if you need to make any adjustments, this will require a lot of time, since all the work will need to be done manually and it will not be possible to automate them. In addition, static addresses limit the variety of pages: they cannot be created individually according to personal preferences and using a filter system.
2. Dynamic URLs. They look like this: https://salon.com/washing machine?brand=samsung&finishcolour=grey&depthmmmin=300&depthmmmax=400. Here we will start with the disadvantages, namely with the large length. This means that they will be more difficult to read and perceive - this is a fact. If there are keywords here, then in parallel with this there are also many parameters. And the address itself will be formed directly when the user enters queries, which significantly complicates the process of scanning and ranking such pages. And dynamic URLs can scare off users with their length, the presence of difficult to perceive characters. We must not forget that there may be difficulties with the distribution of such links. This is due to the high probability of automatic deletion of part of the link during copying. But the advantages here are quite significant. In particular, the most impressive of them is providing the user with personalized pages in accordance with individual requests. This is what significantly increases the convenience of working with the site, allows you to find the desired products with a couple of clicks. And if the user feels as comfortable as possible on the site, then he is more likely to place an order.

So which URLs should be used in practice: static or dynamic? Here everything depends on what kind of site we are talking about in this case. So, for high-quality unique content static addresses are the best option. They will be well ranked by the system, attract the attention of the user audience, and help effectively promote the site to the top of search results. But at the same time, dynamic URLs will be an ideal solution for sites with a complex, developed structure, a large number of subdirectories, and an abundance of product data. Without them, it is impossible to organize the work of such sites. In some cases, the best option will still be to combine both options for page addresses on the same site. As an option, it is worth using a static URL for the main page, and a dynamic URL for the product catalog.

Summing up

Summing up everything we talked about in today's review, we note that a dynamic URL is what will be generated directly in response to a user request. Such a solution has found wide practical application in online stores, electronic media, in modern hotel and ticket booking systems, in social networks and more. Most of them are all presented in the same format "key=value", and special symbols ("?", "&") are used to separate individual blocks.

It will be very convenient to use dynamic URLs in practice when it is necessary to provide the user with a personalized page, ensure simple and convenient correction of information, speed up work with multi-page sites. They will also be the optimal solution for temporary content. But it should be understood that such addresses will be difficult to perceive and distribute. They will have low relevance, since they do not contain keywords. Due to their large length, they cannot be entered manually. In addition, they can cause duplication of content, difficulties with scanning.

That is, you should personally weigh all the “pros” and “cons” of such a solution to understand whether it is worth using in practice. In most cases, good results are obtained by combining static and dynamic URLs. In this case, you minimize negative factors and get the opportunity to provide your clients with personalized pages.

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