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A URL, which stands for Universal Resource Locator, is the unique web address of a website, image, document or any other resource on the web. While URLs are specific types of Uniform Resource Identifiers (URI) most commonly used to reference webpages, they're also use in email communications, file transferring processes and database accessing.
The URL of any webpage can be found in the address bar at the top of the screen of most web browsers (such as Chrome, Safari or Firefox). If you take a look at the address bar of this webpage, for example, you’ll see that its URL is https://www.wix.com/blog/what-is-a-url.
To see the full-form URL of an image or document within a broader webpage, right-click to copy the element’s address and paste it into a new tab or page.
It’s important to keep in mind that while the terms are often used interchangeably, domain names are not the same as URL addresses. While purchasing a domain name allows webpage owners to customize their online address, it's only one component of a URL.
Your domain is more than just a web address; it’s the first impression of your online brand. With Wix, finding the perfect domain name is easy. Wix helps you secure the name for your business, blog, portfolio or any online presence, so you can focus on bringing your project to life. Ready to claim yours?
How to use a URL
URLs can be accessed in several ways. You can type the URL directly into your browser's address bar to navigate to a specific webpage. Alternatively, you can click on hyperlinks found on webpages, bookmark lists, emails or various applications. These methods offer easy access to online content, ensuring you can quickly find the information you need.
Different parts of a URL
The parts of a URL each of which plays a crucial role in the performance of a site:
Protocol
Otherwise known as “scheme”, the first part of a URL indicates which protocol must be used by the browser to access the resources. The most common protocols include HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) and HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) for web elements and FTP (File Transfer Protocol) to download files.
Subdomain
Sitting at the beginning of the domain, subdomains help navigate and organize the different sections of large sites. They’re most commonly used in websites with a significant amount of content and pages, such as online stores, support platforms and blogs.
Domain
Also referred to as second-level domain or host, this is the actual name of your website and thus the most customizable part of your URL. Together with subdomains and top-level domains, this section completes the definition of domain name.
Learn more: How to transfer a domain name
Top-level domain
Top-level domains (TLD) are one of the highest levels in the web’s hierarchical Domain Name System (DNS). The most popular TLD is .com, which is intended for commercial entities in the United States (hence .com). Other popular TLDs include .co.uk, .tech, .store, .info, .org, .co, .net, .edu, .biz .gov, .tv and country-specific extensions such as .mx, .ch, .de, .be, .nl. or .co.uk.
Path
The final part of a URL is the path, sitting after a slash and used to designate specific pages. This section is often broken down into smaller elements such as subdirectory, file name and parameters. For example, ‘/encyclopedia/definition/__url’ is the path for this webpage’s URL.
Parameter
Parameters in a URL provide additional information to the server about what is being requested, often used to filter or sort data, track sessions or perform other specific functions. They are appended to the end of a URL after a question mark and are usually structured as key-value pairs, separated by an ampersand if there’s more than one.
Anchor
Anchors, also known as fragments, are used in URLs to direct the user to a specific part of a single page. They are introduced by the hash symbol (#) and follow the main part of the URL. Anchors are particularly helpful for navigating long webpages or documents by jumping directly to a relevant section, providing users a more streamlined experience.
How does a URL work?
URLs (Uniform Resource Locators) identify resources on the internet. A web browser uses the URL given to locate and retrieve the requested web page from the server, displaying it to the user.
Why are URLs important?
URLs (Uniform Resource Locators) are crucial for navigating the internet. They provide a standardized way to access resources, such as web pages, images and videos.
URLs specify the exact location of a resource, enabling browsers to retrieve and display content accurately. They are essential for linking between web pages, facilitating seamless user experiences. Additionally, URLs play a key role in SEO, helping search engines index and rank content. They also enhance usability by allowing users to share and bookmark specific pages easily. Overall, URLs are fundamental to the structure and functionality of the web, ensuring efficient information retrieval and sharing.
Learn more about how to make a website.
The importance of a semantic URL
Also known as friendly URLs, semantic URLs are composed of logical parts that allow visitors to easily understand which webpage they’re in and where it falls within the site hierarchy. Just like when choosing a domain name, there are a few crucial areas that can be severely impacted by whether or not a site uses semantic URLs:
Usability
Users should be able to navigate a site solely through the address bar, or at the very least, be capable of easily retracing their steps from within it. Complex URLs might deter visitors from extending their stay on the page in favor of alternatives with a better user experience.
SEO
Clear URLs allow search engine crawlers to have a better understanding of the type of page they’re indexing and how it relates to others on the site. As a result, they’re most likely to rank and build stronger site authority. Think of a semantic URL as a way to properly organize your pages in a labeled drawer, rather than throwing all of them into a closet and hoping for the best.
Accessibility
Visitors using screen readers must be able to understand where links are leading to and what kind of information they contain without having to decipher a URL packed with complex strings.
What is a URL? FAQ
What's the maximum length a URL can be?
The de facto standard safe limit is 2,000 characters for URLs to work across most browsers and servers.
Browser-specific limits
Internet Explorer: 2,083 characters (with a path length limit of 2,048 characters)
Google Chrome: Up to 32,767 characters (approximately 2MB or 2,097,152 characters in some sources)
Mozilla Firefox: Also supports up to 32,767 characters
While modern browsers can handle longer URLs, it's recommended to keep URLs shorter for compatibility. Server configurations, proxies and other infrastructure may impose their own limits.
Very long URLs can cause issues with:
Server processing
User experience
SEO performance
Caching
Mobile devices