How to Configure URL Rewrites in Magento 2?

When the rewrite goes into effect, any links that points to the previous URL are redirected to the new address. URL rewrites make the existing URLs more “search engine friendly” and also easier for humans to read.

Enabling Web Server Apache/Nginx Rewrites is a part of the initial Magento 2 store development setup. Magento 2 uses URL rewrites to remove the file name “index.php” that normally appears in the URL just after the root folder. When Web Server Rewrites are enabled, the system rewrites each URL to omit “index.php.” The rewrite removes words that convey nothing of value to the search engines or the customers.

How to enable URL rewrites?

Step 1:

In the Admin login go to path Stores > Configuration > Web.

Step 2:

After that, expand the Search Engine Optimization section.

Step 3:

Set Use Web Server Rewrites to ‘Yes’.

And save the config.

Set up automatic redirects

To set up automatic redirects we need to follow the steps given below:

Step 1:

In the Admin login go to path Stores > Configuration > Catalog > Catalog.

Step 2:

Expand the Search Engine Optimization section.

Set Create Permanent Redirect for URLs if URL Key Changed to “Yes.” and save the config value.

Now to check the automatic redirection. Go to the product edit page from the admin section.

In the URL Key field, perform the following steps:

Make sure that the Create Permanent Redirect for old URL checkbox is selected.
Update the URL Key as needed, using all lowercase characters and hyphens.
Save the product and test the product on the store frontend.
To view the redirect records, go to: Marketing > SEO & Search > URL Rewrites from the admin section. The most recent permanent redirects appear at the top of the list.

Using a Magento Extension

Managing URL rewrites can become tedious, especially when dealing with a large number of redirects. This is where the Bulk URL Redirection extension by Aureate Labs comes in.

The Bulk URL Redirection extension simplifies and streamlines the process of managing URL rewrites in your Magento 2 store.

Here’s how it streamlines your workflow:

Bulk Upload and Update: Effortlessly upload or copy-paste a large list of URLs for redirection. Update existing rewrites in bulk to save significant time and effort.
Simplified Management: Gain a centralized view of all your URL rewrites within a user-friendly interface.
Error Handling: The extension efficiently identifies and highlights potential errors in your URL configurations, preventing issues down the line.
Import/Export: Easily import and export URL rewrites in CSV format for seamless data migration and backup purposes.
Automation: Schedule automated tasks to keep your URL rewrites up-to-date, ensuring a smooth user experience for your customers.

By incorporating the Bulk URL Redirection extension, you’ll significantly reduce the time and effort required to manage URL rewrites in your Magento 2 store. This results in improved efficiency, better accuracy, and a more streamlined store management experience.