A dynamic URL is a web address that is generated in real-time by a server, often reflecting user-specific data or parameters. Unlike static URLs, which have fixed content and structure, dynamic URLs can change based on various factors such as user input, session information, or database queries. They typically contain query strings with parameters indicated by symbols like “?” and “&”, allowing for the retrieval of different content from a single page template.
For example, a dynamic URL may look like this: `www.example.com/products?category=shoes&id=123`. Here, the parameters specify the category of products (shoes) and an identifier for a specific item (id=123). This flexibility enables websites to serve personalised experiences to users but can pose challenges for search engines.
Dynamic URLs can complicate indexing because they generate multiple variations of similar content. Search engines can struggle to determine which version should be prioritised in search results. With this is mind it’s crucial for website owners to implement strategies like canonical tags or URL rewriting techniques to ensure effective crawling and indexing.
