Query strings and parameters are helpful information in URLs. Marketing tools commonly utilize these to improve their marketing strategies and their pages. If you want to learn more about query strings and how marketers use them, you can do so with the following video from MeasureSchool.
Since you can use these URL parameters to improve a website, you should know how they work and their implications on your page’s optimization. Remember that query strings can be both helpful and problematic for search engines.
What Does “Search & Filter URL Parameters” Mean?
Search and filter URL parameters are parameters or query strings that add information to a specific URL. Parameters are added to the end of the link right after the “?” symbol. You can also add multiple parameters and separate or organize them using the ampersand (&) character.
Specifically, these query parameters send commands to specify and sort contents on a page; they are also used to track traffic. A search or filter parameter makes it easier to look for a particular phrase or keyword within search engine results. They include what’s asked and exclude irrelevant content.
What Triggers This Issue?
Aside from the functions mentioned above, many web developers use search and filter parameters for reasons that include:
- Pagination – To identify multiple pages of search results.
- Site Search – To pass through search queries that someone used in a site search.
- Sorting and Filtering – To get a page with the user’s desired filters or sorting factors; these are usually used in large e-commerce sites.
How to Check the Issue
URLs that have query strings with apparent search parameters generally look like this: http://sample.com/search?w=album.
For filtering or sorting parameters, you’ll encounter URLs with a general format like this: http://sample.com/movies?sort=a-z or http://sample.com/list.html?filter=keyword.
In the Sitechecker SEO tool, you can identify and rectify specific issues regarding “Query Strings Containing Search & Filter URL Parameters.” This category is critical for SEO as these parameters can often lead to content duplication and indexing problems.
For each identified problem, there’s an option to “View issue in code,” allowing you to dive directly into the source and understand where the problem lies. This level of detail helps in pinpointing the exact problem, making it easier to take corrective action.
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Why is This Important?
Search and filter query strings are essential for optimizing pages and helping users research website content. However, SEO reacts with them differently. This is because of two main reasons: content duplication and keyword cannibalization.
Parameters create duplicate content — most of the time, there’s no significant change to the content of a page, and it appears just like the original. Also, there’s a good chance that having similar keywords in URLs with other websites results in tight competition.
How to Fix the Issue
The best way to fix issues with search and filter query strings is to look for them, manage them, and make alternatives. You can follow this brief procedure:
- Crawl your website. You can use Google Developer tools or similar services.
- Look for pages with query strings by entering “\?”.
- Identify which strings are problematic.
- Try fixing them using alternatives. For example, for filter query strings, you can use JavaScript instead of strings.
