Html document name lenght, what is too long or too short?

[Oimachi2]

HI there,

What would be more attractive for a search engine for a document name:

http://example.com/marketing/merchandising/promotional-merchandise.html

http://example.com/marketing/promotional-merchandise.html

http://example.com/promotional-merchandise.html

The first URL has more keywords but it's longer, the last URL is shorter but less keyword rich...

I wonder, any opionion anyone?

THanks

[edited by: pageoneresults at 3:01 pm (utc) on May 21, 2006]
[edit reason] Examplified URI References [/edit]

[Receptional Andy]

I know Internet Explorer has a limit of 2,083 characters, however you should really be thinking about what is a logical structure for visitors.

Usually, this would be something as short and memorable as possible. But then you may need to split this up into categories for ease of management which is where a 'folder' structure might come into play.

I would recommend a read of the classic "Cool URIs don't change [w3.org] for ideas.

[Oimachi2]

Hi Andy,

Thanks for the response.

The real question is, what is better? Long URL loaded with keywords (yes from a hierachial, categorized structure).

Cheers!

[edited by: caveman at 4:47 pm (utc) on May 22, 2006]
[edit reason] Removed specifics, reference to Web site. [/edit]

[caveman]

Personally I think that the URI should reflect the site structure. E.g., if the site has pages like this:

Home
> Marketing
> Marketing > Merchandising
> Marekting > Merchandising > Promotional Merchandise

... then the following URI would be very approprite:

http://example.com/marketing/merchandising/promotional-merchandise.html

However, if the extra levels are being added just for SEO reasons, i.e., to get those extra kw's in the URI, I would strongly advise against it. My 2 cents. :)

[Oimachi2]

http://example.com/marketing/advertising/branding.html

Like that, the section, category AND content item are all relevant.

I think that long is better because you get a whole bunch of keywords in a row in a hierarchal way, all logical and rational paths.

Document, longer than example.com/branding.htm but better in my opinion?

Would you say this makes sense caveman?

[edited by: caveman at 5:16 pm (utc) on May 22, 2006]
[edit reason] Removed reference to Web site, per TOS. Please keep it general. [/edit]