Which URL structure is better: /news/12345-slug-here-blah-blah/2 or /news/12345/slug-here-blah-blah/2 ?

Choosing the Optimal URL Structure for Content Organization: Best Practices in 2025

In the world of digital content management, structuring URLs effectively is crucial for enhancing user experience, ensuring SEO performance, and maintaining long-term content integrity. As website administrators and developers, one common challenge is deciding how to incorporate unique reference numbers (IDs) into URLs—especially when they need to be positioned at the beginning—and how to separate these identifiers from the descriptive slug. Additionally, determining the placement of pagination references at the end of URLs adds another layer of complexity.

This article explores best practices for URL structuring in 2025, focusing on including reference numbers at the start of URLs, choosing appropriate separators, and optimizing for sharing and search engine indexing.

The Core Requirements

• Retention of Reference Number: The URL must contain a unique reference or ID (e.g., 12345) for identification, tracking, or organizational purposes.
• Positioning of Reference Number: The ID should appear at the beginning of the URL to prevent issues with URL truncation or sharing.
• Pagination Indicator: Page numbers, such as “/2” or “/3”, should be placed at the end of the URL.
• Separator Choice: The decision between using a dash (“-“) or a slash (“/”) between the reference number and the slug content.

Analyzing the Two Structures

1. Structure A: /news/12345-slug-here-blah-blah/2

2. Advantages:

   • The reference number and slug are combined in a single path segment, simplifying URL structure.
   • Easy to generate and parse.

3. Disadvantages:

   • The reference number is embedded within the slug segment, potentially complicating URL parsing.
   • Slightly less flexible if the URL needs to be broken down into distinct components.
   • Sharing or link truncation may not impact the URL, but readability can be affected.

4. Structure B: /news/12345/slug-here-blah-blah/2

5. Advantages:

   • Clear separation between the reference number and slug, enhancing readability.
   • Easier for backend systems to parse and process individual components.
   • Better for URL normalization and canonicalization.
6. Disadvantages:
   • Slightly longer URL paths.
   • Potential for inconsistency if not properly maintained.

Best Practices in 2025

1. **Positioning the