How to Use Shopify Product Handles to Boost Store Rankings
Learn how to optimize your product handles on Shopify to improve your store's visibility and search engine rankings.
Updated November 18, 2024.
Product handles on Shopify are powerful tools for improving both search engine rankings and the overall customer journey. With a well-structured handle, your store can achieve higher visibility in search results, which ultimately leads to better traffic and conversion rates.
Apart from hreflang tags and custom filters, a well-thought-out project handle will help search engines identify the product and will assist customers in finding what they're looking for. This guide will cover the importance of product handles, how to edit them, best practices, and answers to frequently asked questions.
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What Is a Shopify Product Handle?
A Shopify product handle is the last part of a product's URL. It usually includes the product name in lowercase letters, numbers, and hyphens, making it simple to read and share while also being search-friendly.
The Importance of Product Handles in Shopify
- SEO optimization: Product handles provide search engines with clear product identifiers. Including keywords relevant to the product in handles can improve visibility in search results, leading to higher traffic.
- Enhanced customer experience: Clear and descriptive handles create more readable URLs, making it easier for customers to recognize and trust your links.
- Brand consistency: Standardized product handles help maintain a professional and consistent brand image across product pages, much like how product tags ensure products are categorized consistently, creating a cohesive store layout.
- Improved product discoverability: By using relevant keywords, your products are easier to find, which can lead to increased engagement and potential sales.
» Here's how to edit your Shopify product tags quickly
How to Edit Shopify Product Handles
Editing the object handles of a product in Shopify can be easily achieved by following the steps below:
- From the Shopify Admin page, head to Products > All products.
- Select the product whose handle you wish to edit.
- Scroll down to the bottom of the page and locate the Search engine listing preview box.
- In the top right of the box, select Edit website SEO.
- At the bottom of the expanded box, select the URL and handle field.
- Edit the handle according to your preference.
- If this is a pre-launched product, you may want to select the Create URL redirect box to avoid broken links on your site.
- Select Save.
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Best Practices for Effective Shopify Product Handles
Although product handles have had less of an impact on SEO in recent years since Google realized how easy they were to change, they still play a role.
This is why the following practices should be considered:
- Keep it simple and descriptive: Ensure the handle clearly reflects the product while staying concise.
- Use relevant keywords: Select keywords that align with common search behavior but avoid stuffing, as this can reduce SEO effectiveness.
- Utilize hyphens for clarity: Use hyphens to separate words, as they improve readability for both search engines and users.
- Don't use unnecessary words: Avoid filler words such as “the,” “and,” and “of” to maintain a clean, streamlined URL.
- Use lowercase letters consistently: Product handles are case-sensitive, so lowercase letters help maintain uniformity and avoid potential errors.
- Set up redirects for updated handles: When changing a handle, add a URL redirect to maintain traffic flow and avoid broken links.
» Here are more tips to make your Shopify store a better one
Strengthening Your Shopify Store with Optimized Product Handles
Optimizing your product handles can play a key role in elevating your store’s visibility, branding, and overall customer experience. By following thoughtful practices, you create URLs that are easy for customers to navigate and for search engines to understand. Investing time in refining your product handles contributes to a more polished and effective e-commerce presence, ultimately helping to increase online sales and supporting your store's growth and ongoing success.
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FAQ About Shopify Product Handles
Can I update a product handle after the product is live?
Yes, product handles can be updated at any time. Just be sure to enable a URL redirect to prevent broken links.
Should product handles and titles match?
While exact matching isn’t necessary, keeping handles similar to product titles helps maintain consistency across your site.
Is keyword usage required in product handles?
Including keywords is beneficial but not mandatory. Aim for a balance—concise, relevant handles are often more effective than those overloaded with keywords.
Do product handles affect page load speed?
Product handles themselves don’t impact load speed, but well-structured URLs contribute to better site organization and can indirectly support faster navigation and improved user experience.
Can I use spaces in product handles?
No, spaces aren’t allowed in product handles. Use hyphens instead to separate words for a clean, readable format.