Glossary · Internet & Web

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A permalink is a permanent, stable URL that points to one specific page or post so that it can be bookmarked, shared and cited without the address changing.

Updated October 6, 2026

A permalink, short for permanent link, is the stable web address of a specific page, post or item that is intended not to change. It lets people bookmark, share and cite the exact content for years.

Why it matters

Links accumulate value over time: they appear in other sites, social posts and search results. If an address changes without a redirect, those links lead to errors, and the page can lose its search visibility. Blogs and content management systems let you choose a permalink structure, and the choice is easiest to make before launch because changing it later affects every page.

Example

A CMS can use two structures:

https://example.com/?p=123
https://example.com/blog/website-uptime-guide

The second is a readable permalink that describes the page. If the title is later edited, a good system keeps the slug fixed or adds a 301 redirect from the old address.

Common mistakes

  • Putting dates or categories in the address and then reorganizing, which forces URL changes.
  • Changing slugs without adding 301 redirects.
  • Assuming a permalink guarantees permanence. The owner still has to keep the page online.

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