How do I redirect the default WordPress search results URL to a custom slug?

Are you tired of the default WordPress search results URL looking like a messy query string? Do you want to give your website a more professional look and feel? Look no further! In this article, we’ll show you how to redirect the default WordPress search results URL to a custom slug in just a few easy steps.

Why do I need to redirect the default WordPress search results URL?

The default WordPress search results URL can look something like this: “example.com/?s=search+term“. Not only does it look messy, but it can also be detrimental to your website’s SEO. By redirecting the default WordPress search results URL to a custom slug, you can improve the readability and SEO-friendliness of your website’s URLs.

Benefits of redirecting the default WordPress search results URL:

• Improved readability: A custom slug makes your website’s URLs more readable and easier to understand.
• SEO benefits: A custom slug can improve your website’s SEO by making your URLs more descriptive and keyword-rich.
• Professional look and feel: A custom slug gives your website a more professional look and feel, making it more appealing to visitors.

Step 1: Create a custom search page

Before we can redirect the default WordPress search results URL, we need to create a custom search page. This page will serve as the new destination for our search results.

Create a new page in WordPress and add the following code to the page content:

<?php
    /**
     * Template Name: Custom Search Page
     */
    ?>

    <h1>Search Results</h1>

    <p>You searched for: <?php the_search_query(); ?></p>

    <?php if (have_posts()) : ?>
        <ul>
            <?php while (have_posts()) : the_post(); ?>
                <li><a href="<?php the_permalink(); ?>"><?php the_title(); ?></a></li>
            <?php endwhile; ?>
        </ul>
    <?php else : ?>
        <p>Sorry, no results found.</p>
    <?php endif; ?>

This code creates a basic search page template that displays the search query and lists the search results.

Step 2: Add a custom slug to the search page

Now that we have our custom search page, let’s add a custom slug to it. We’ll use the “Page Slug” plugin to achieve this.

Install and activate the Page Slug plugin, then go to the plugin’s settings page. Add a new slug for your search page, for example “/search/“.

Step 3: Redirect the default WordPress search results URL

Now that we have our custom search page and slug, let’s redirect the default WordPress search results URL to our new custom slug.

Open your WordPress theme’s functions.php file and add the following code:

function custom_search_url_rewrite() {
    if (is_search()) {
        $search_query = get_search_query();
        $custom_search_url = home_url('/search/' . $search_query);
        wp_redirect($custom_search_url);
        exit;
    }
}
add_action('template_redirect', 'custom_search_url_rewrite');

This code redirects the default WordPress search results URL to our custom search page slug.

Step 4: Update WordPress permalinks

Finally, let’s update WordPress permalinks to reflect our new custom slug.

Go to the WordPress admin dashboard and navigate to the “Settings” > “Permalinks” page. Click the “Save Changes” button to update the permalinks.

Conclusion

And that’s it! You’ve successfully redirected the default WordPress search results URL to a custom slug. Your website’s search results URL should now look something like “example.com/search/search+term“.

By following these steps, you’ve improved the readability and SEO-friendliness of your website’s URLs, and given your website a more professional look and feel.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Will this affect my website’s SEO?

A: No, this change should not affect your website’s SEO negatively. In fact, a custom slug can improve your website’s SEO by making your URLs more descriptive and keyword-rich.

Q: Can I use a different custom slug?

A: Yes, you can use any custom slug you like. Simply update the slug in the Page Slug plugin and in the functions.php code.

Q: Will this work with my theme?

A: This code should work with most WordPress themes. However, if you’re using a custom theme, you may need to modify the code to fit your theme’s specific requirements.

Additional Tips and Tricks:

Use a custom search form:

Create a custom search form that submits to your custom search page slug. This will give your website a more professional look and feel.

Use a search engine optimization (SEO) plugin:

Use an SEO plugin like Yoast SEO or All in One SEO Pack to optimize your website’s search results page for search engines.

Monitor your website’s search analytics:

Monitor your website’s search analytics to see how visitors are using your search function. This can help you identify areas for improvement and optimize your website’s search functionality.

Before	After
example.com/?s=search+term	example.com/search/search+term

By following these steps and tips, you can improve the readability and SEO-friendliness of your website’s search results URL and give your website a more professional look and feel.

Conclusion

In conclusion, redirecting the default WordPress search results URL to a custom slug is a simple yet effective way to improve your website’s readability and SEO. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can give your website a more professional look and feel and improve your website’s search functionality. Happy coding!

Frequently Asked Question

Get ready to take control of your WordPress search results URL and redirect it to a custom slug that reflects your brand’s voice!