URL folders are the directory like sections of a website’s URL that help organize content into a clear hierarchy. For example, in example.com/blog/seo/crawling, the folders are /blog/ and /seo/, and they indicate how the page fits within the broader site structure. In SEO, URL folders can make a site easier to navigate for users and can help search engines understand topical relationships between groups of pages.
A thoughtful folder structure supports clear expectations and reduces ambiguity. Keep folder names short, descriptive, and consistent, and avoid changing them frequently because URL changes can create redirects, break links, and complicate tracking. It is also best to avoid unnecessary depth, since overly nested folders can signal a messy architecture and make important pages harder to find. When your URLs reflect how the content is actually organized, it becomes easier to maintain accuracy across your site and easier for visitors to understand where they are.