Want cleaner WordPress category URLs without the default /category/ base? By default, WordPress category archive pages use links like yoursite.com/category/news/. In some cases, you may want a shorter URL such as yoursite.com/news/ for a cleaner structure and easier sharing.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to remove the category slug from WordPress URLs using permalink-related settings or an SEO plugin like Yoast SEO. You’ll also see the main risks, including URL conflicts and the need for proper redirects if your category URLs have already been indexed.
Before making changes, keep in mind that shorter URLs do not automatically improve rankings on their own. The main benefits are a cleaner site structure and a simpler user experience. If you decide to change your category base, test the result carefully and redirect old URLs to the new ones.
What Is a Category Slug, Anyway?
In WordPress, category archive URLs use a category base by default. For example, if you create a category called Recipes, the archive URL may look like yoursite.com/category/recipes/. WordPress officially supports changing the category base, but its documentation says you generally can’t remove it entirely through the normal permalink settings alone.
That’s why many site owners use a workaround, a plugin feature, or a dedicated category-base removal plugin when they want URLs like yoursite.com/recipes/. We’ll show two common methods below, along with the risks you should check before using them on a live site.
Method 1: Try the Category Base Workaround in Permalink Settings
One commonly used workaround is to edit the category base field in WordPress permalink settings. This method may work depending on your setup, but because WordPress officially documents changing the category base rather than fully removing it, you should test the results carefully before using it on a live site.
Here’s how to try it:
1. In your WordPress dashboard, go to Settings > Permalinks.
2. In the Optional section, find the Category base field.
3. Some site owners enter a single dot . in this field as a workaround to remove the visible category base. Save the changes and then test your category archive URLs carefully.
4. Open several category archive pages and confirm they load correctly. Also check for conflicts with pages, posts, custom post types, or other taxonomy URLs that may use the same slug.
Method 2: Remove the Category Prefix with Yoast SEO
If you already use Yoast SEO, the plugin includes an option to remove the category prefix from category archive URLs. However, Yoast’s current documentation says this feature can cause unexpected URL behavior and is not recommended in most cases, so use it only after testing carefully.
Here’s how to find the setting in Yoast SEO:
1. In your WordPress dashboard, go to Yoast SEO > Settings.
2. Open Categories.
3. Under Additional settings, turn off Show the categories prefix in the slug.
4. Save your changes and test your category archive URLs, redirects, and canonical behavior.
This method is convenient, but it is not always the best option for every site. Yoast also warns that switching this setting back later can create 404 errors, and its support docs note that removing the category prefix may conflict with other theme or plugin features.
If you use Rank Math, the equivalent setting is usually found at Rank Math SEO > General Settings > Links > Strip Category Base. On some setups, you may need to enable Advanced Mode to see it.
Whichever method you use, check the final URL structure carefully after saving changes. If your old category archive URLs were already live or indexed, add 301 redirects in WordPress from the old URLs to the new ones. This helps preserve user access, reduces broken links, and gives search engines a clearer path to the updated URLs.
Best Practices for WordPress URLs
Clean WordPress URLs are easier for users to read, share, and remember. In general, use a permalink structure that clearly reflects the content, keep URLs as simple as possible, and avoid changing them unnecessarily after publication.
Set your permalink structure early if possible, use hyphens between words, and keep category archive URLs consistent across the site. If you decide to remove or change the category base, test the result on category pages, breadcrumbs, internal links, redirects, and any SEO plugin settings before treating the new structure as final.
Final Thoughts
Removing the category slug from WordPress URLs can create a shorter and cleaner category archive structure, but it is not always the best choice for every site. The right approach depends on your permalink setup, your SEO plugin, and whether the category URLs are already indexed or linked elsewhere.
If you make this change, test everything carefully and add 301 redirects where needed. A clean URL structure can improve usability, but accuracy, stability, and proper redirects matter more than forcing shorter URLs at any cost.
FAQs
Will removing the category slug hurt SEO?
Not necessarily, but changing existing URLs without proper 301 redirects can lead to broken links, crawl issues, and lost signals. The main SEO risk comes from the migration, not from the shorter URL itself.
Can I do this without a plugin?
You can try the category base workaround in WordPress permalink settings, but WordPress officially supports changing the category base rather than fully removing it through standard settings, so test the result carefully.
What if I want a custom prefix, not just “category”?
That is fully supported in WordPress. You can change the category base in Settings > Permalinks and use your own custom word instead of the default category.
What if I mess up?
Back up your site first, test changes on staging if possible, and keep a redirect plan ready before changing live category archive URLs.
