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Keywords in file names vs folder names
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We understand the value of a keyword phrase included in the URL. Is there more value to having that phrase in the folder name of the URL or the file name or does it matter?
Example:
http://www.biztoolsone.com/website-design.php
or
http://www.biztoolsone.com/website-design/
Which is best?
Thanks, Wick Smith
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The short answer is, it does not matter.
The recommendation I would make is to use what some people refer to as "technology-proof" URLs. Drop the file extension. Why?
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it looks cleaner and nicer to users
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it makes it a bit harder (more work) for someone who wants to hack your site as they are unsure of your page's language
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it gives you the flexibility to change technologies without requiring a new URL (from html to php for example)
The only difference between your URLs then would be the trailing slash. It is a matter of personal preference but I add the trailing slash to indicate a folder, and no slash to indicate it is a file.
Matt Cutts has a couple videos on URLs and file names which you may enjoy:
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