File extensions

[RJPennyPacker]

I am creating a site around a keyword.

Is it better to have www.example.com/my_keyword/

or www.example.com/my_keyword.php

I would rather not create a new directory but will the search engines index a file .php on the end with as high a standing as something .html?

Also will having a directory with the keyword in the path be better then just having the keyword be in the file name?

[Yidaki]

Although i love reading all the controversial discussions about the best ranking url styles, it's been more important in the past than it is today. I have all kinds of urls and none is performing top just because of its url. There are some basic considerations though.

Create a directory if you have sub pages in this directory:

example.com/my-keyword

should redirect (301) to

example.com/my-keyword/

should be the same content as

example.com/my-keyword/index.htm

Rewrite php to htm if you have parameters:

example.com/mykeyword.php?a=12&b=123&c=1234

should be rewritten to

example.com/mykeyword/12-123-1234.php

or

example.com/mykeyword/12-123-1234.htm

Keywords in urls are good for back link anchor text and for type in traffic so it's wise to write user friendly, easy to remember and relevant urls.