Trailing Slash
Trailing slashes can create two URL variants. Standardize with redirects, self-canonicals, and consistent internal links.
Definition
A trailing slash is the `/` at the end of a URL. Depending on your server/framework, `/page` and `/page/` can be treated as different URLs. Standardize one format using redirects, self-canonicals, and consistent internal linking.
Why it matters
- Avoid splitting signals across duplicate URL variants
- Reduce duplication and indexing confusion
- Keep sitemaps/internal links consistent
How to implement
- Pick a canonical format (with or without trailing slash)
- Use 301/308 redirects to consolidate the other variant
- Ensure canonicals and internal links point to the preferred URL
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FAQ
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