BZPower Now Using Friendly URLs

[Black Six]

We have recently made some changes under the hood so the forums are now using 'Friendly URLs.' Now, when you look at the URL for a topic, forum, or other content on the forum, you'll see a version of the title in there instead of the normal 'forum ID' or 'topic ID.'

 

The main reason for this change is to help search engines find and index topics on BZPower, so we show up more often and higher in relevant search results.

 

All existing links will automatically redirect to the new Friendly URL format and will still work for the foreseeable future.

 

Let us know if you see any issues so we can address them.

 

NOTE: We realize that Proto bars are not working and are looking into it. Proto bars should be working again.

 

Thanks!

Edited March 1, 2014 by Black Six

[JAG18]

I first I was like, "What exactly does this mean?" and then the difference hit me.

 

Here's hoping it makes BZPower a more popular place.

[Black Six]

Here's hoping it makes BZPower a more popular place.

I don't expect it to make a huge distance overnight, and we still need to have a reason for people to search for us, but I think it's a step in the right direction.

[InnerRayg]

Every little bit helps, this is a great change!

[Toa Smoke Monster]

I like this. It will definitely to easier to use than the ID numbers IMO.

[Voltex]

Does this mean that all older links will eventually break?

[Black Six]

Does this mean that all older links will eventually break?

As far as I'm aware there are no plans to deprecate the older links and they should still work for the foreseeable future.

[fishers64]

I don't think it does. I just checked my personal library record, and all of the links, despite being old, work.

 

I think the old URL is actually still there, it's just being overlaid by a new one. Like bit.ly - it doesn't change the orginal URL, just overlays it with another.

[Voltex]

Good to know.

Because that would be a lot of links being lost/needing to be replaced (what a chore that would be)

[Meiko]

Only one thing I can say to this...

 

FINALLY

[Aanchir]

I didn't notice this myself until it was pointed out to me, but I DEFINITELY appreciate the change!

[Emzee]

Nice! Every little change like this helps, and I have to say that this was a very smart move.

[Bfahome]

While the simplified address is welcome, I've never really cared for the title-in-URL thing. Always seemed redundant.

Though I guess if it improves web visibility it's good.

e: It doesn't seem to like URLs without the text. http://www.bzpower.com/board/topic/12206/ gives me an error while http://www.bzpower.com/board/topic/12206-/ works.

Edited March 1, 2014 by Bfahome

[Ehksidian]

I actually didn't know what this was about.

Then I looked up at the URL, and it is much better. And easier to know what you're looking at.

I sometimes forget what topic I'm in.

[P~M]

I really don't like this. I've seen it on other IPB forums and I always find myself thinking, "If only they used a URL system like BZPower does... oh well." The required hyphen is a huge pain, and besides, we've had the other system for almost 10 years and frankly I'm just plain used to it.

[Art Vandelay]

BZP is moving into the 21st century slowly, but very surely. This was a much needed change, and it should really help with SEO. Great job, guys. Keep these changes coming.

Edited March 3, 2014 by XONAR