If I get links to a URL with and without a trailing slash, will my PageRank be split?



There are a lot of rumors about whether or not slash at the end of a domain makes a difference. Is there a difference between getting a backlink pointing to www.website.com” vs “www.website.com/” ? if you get links to both would your pr be split?” Y-bav, California

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7 thoughts on “If I get links to a URL with and without a trailing slash, will my PageRank be split?”

  1. @lemannequin It's definitely true for deeper links. The slash then chances the meaning from a file to a folder. It not only causes a separate URL but also changes the relative location of all files referenced. However, as @svivian pointed out, I think Matt is wrong about the optional use of a slash at the end of a domain name. It makes no difference as they represent the exact same location.

  2. I have to agree with svivian. In fact, if you type domain/ in Chrome or Firefox, it will remove the / for readability (I suppose) in the address bar, while on other browsers like IE, it's the other way around (/ is always added). What Matt says applies to directories.

  3. Does this comments applies to other "deeper" URLs, like . example . com/some-section/some-article vs . example . com/some-section/some-article/? I suppose so, but confirmation would help.

    Thanks, Matt!

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