What Is the Display Path in a Website URL?

Short Answer: The display path is the part of the URL you see on the right side in the URL preview. It often begins with a city name, followed by the service offered, such as ‘San Francisco/fire protection.’ This path acts as a signal to users, helping them recognize that your website matches their specific needs.

Full Explanation

The display path is a visible element in a website URL, providing users with immediate context about the page’s content. It usually appears at the end of the URL, demonstrating exactly where the user is on the site. This path is not just a navigation aid but also serves as a clear message to users that your business or service is relevant to their search, especially when it includes geographic locations and types of services.

Step-by-Step Breakdown

Location Indication: The display path often starts with the city or location name, signaling the geographic area your business serves.
Service Description: Following the city, the display path lists the particular service offered. This informs users about the nature of the service on that page.
User Signal: By combining location and service in the display path, users quickly understand the relevance of the page to their specific needs.

Real Examples

A common example of a display path could be something like ‘San Francisco/fire protection’. Here, ‘San Francisco’ acts as the geographic indicator, and ‘fire protection’ describes the service provided. This format helps users instantly identify that the page delivers fire protection services in San Francisco.

Common Mistakes

Ignoring the Display Path: Failing to use a clear display path can confuse users about what the page is about.
Omitting Location or Service: Leaving out either the city or the service reduces the effectiveness of the path as a user signal.
Overcomplicating the Path: Adding too many elements or unrelated words to the display path can dilute its clarity.

FAQs

Why is the display path important? It helps users quickly identify if your page fits their needs by showing location and service.

Is the display path part of the full URL? Yes, it’s the portion shown typically to the right in the URL, indicating the page’s specific location within the site.

Can the display path affect SEO? While this answer focuses on user signals, having a clear display path can indirectly support SEO by improving click-through rates.

Key Takeaways

The display path is visible on the right side of a URL preview and usually starts with a city followed by the service.
It acts as an important signal to users, helping confirm your relevancy to their search.
Keeping the display path straightforward and clear enhances user experience and understanding.