How to Improve the Search URL Slug of a WordPress Site via cPanel

Links optimized for search engines are good for indexing. However, the default search URL format on the platform holds the key to search engine ranking. We will demonstrate how cPanel users can enhance any WordPress site’s search URL slug (http://www.example.com/?s=search-term) to boost the site’s overall SEO standing. Furthermore, raising a website’s SEO rankings requires dependable web hosting. When it comes to URLs, you can choose URL hosting packages that provide better uptime, excellent security, round-the-clock customer service, and more.

Also, raising a website’s SEO rankings requires dependable web hosting. When it comes to URLs, you can choose URL hosting packages that provide better uptime, excellent security, round-the-clock customer service, and more.

Your search URL slugs will match your site’s permalinks format more closely with a few tweaks. We have discussed modifying the.htaccess file and customizing the Functions File. The plan is to modify the current search URL slug for the website:
http://www.example.com/?s=search-term into this http://www.example.com/search/search-term.

Table of Contents
Rearrange Site’s Function File
Improve Search URL Slug with .htaccess

Did you know!
Using SEO-friendly URL configuration for your WordPress website will only index posts and pages, which is insufficient to raise its search engine rating. In order to optimize the search sites for search engines, the structure of these search URLs should also appear authentic and simple to read for search engine crawlers.

Rearrange Site’s Function File

1. Log in to your user account of cPanel.
2. Go to the FILES section and click on File Manager.

The File Manager interface will open.

3. Browse functions.php file by following the path public_html>>wp-content >> themes.
4. Right-click the functions.php file and select Edit.

The file will open in the editor window.

5. Paste the given code at the end of the file.

/**
* Change search page slug.
*/

function wp_change_search_url() {
    if ( is_search() && ! empty( $_GET['s'] ) ) {
        wp_redirect( home_url( "/search/" ) . urlencode( get_query_var( 's' ) ) );
        exit();
    }  
}
add_action( 'template_redirect', 'wp_change_search_url' );

6. Click Save Changes and Close the editor.

It should change the structure of the search URL slug to the most optimum level.

Improve Search URL Slug with .htaccess

1. Log in to your cPanel account.
2. Open File Manager and edit the .htaccess file.

Note: If you would want more information on How To Edit A.htaccess File Using The cPanel File Manager, please refer to this page.

3. Paste this code at the end of the file:

# Change WordPress search URL slug
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} \\?s=([^&]+) [NC]
RewriteRule ^$ /search/%1/? [NC,R,L]

4. Click Save Changes and Close the editor.

By applying any one of the methods, cPanel users can effectively amend the search URL slug of a WordPress site and improve the SEO.

P.S.
Users can also use the FTP client to download the functions.php or .htaccess file, edit and then reupload them on the server.