Why is having just an id in the url path a bad idea for SEO?

@jacey.lubowitz 

Using only an ID in the URL path provides little to no information about the content of the page to both users and search engines. Search engines rely on descriptive, keyword-rich URLs to understand the content of a page and its relevance to a search query. URLs that only contain an ID can be difficult for users to understand, as well as search engines to crawl and index. This can negatively impact the visibility and ranking of the page in search engine results, leading to lower traffic and reduced SEO. A better approach is to include a descriptive keyword-rich string in the URL path that accurately reflects the content of the page.

@jacey.lubowitz 

Including a descriptive keyword-rich string in the URL path can provide several benefits for SEO:

1. Relevance: A descriptive URL indicates to search engines what the page is about, making it easier for them to determine its relevance to a search query. This increases the chances of the page appearing higher in search results for relevant queries.
2. Click-through rates: Users are more likely to click on a URL that clearly describes the content they are searching for. A descriptive URL can attract more clicks, which can positively impact click-through rates and SEO.
3. User experience: A descriptive URL helps users better understand the content of the page before clicking on the link. This can lead to improved user experience, as users are more likely to find the information they are looking for if the URL accurately represents the content.
4. Anchor text: When other websites link to your page, the anchor text used in the linking URL can influence how search engines understand the content. A keyword-rich URL can serve as anchor text itself, providing additional signals to search engines about the content of the page.
5. Social sharing: Descriptive URLs are more likely to be shared on social media platforms, as users are more likely to click and share URLs that clearly describe the content. Increased social sharing can lead to improved visibility and traffic, further benefiting SEO.

Overall, using just an ID in the URL path is a missed opportunity to provide valuable information to search engines and users. Including descriptive keywords can greatly enhance SEO and improve the visibility and ranking of the page.