A Guide to Removing “index.php” from WordPress URLs

As a devoted WordPress user, you must have stumbled upon URLs that contain the term “index.php.” This is a common feature of default permalink structures that can make your URLs look cluttered and unprofessional. But don’t worry. You can easily remove “index.php” from your WordPress URLs to make them look cleaner and more SEO-friendly.

Understanding “index.php” in WordPress URLs

Simply put, “index.php” is the default PHP file that displays the homepage of your website. When you initiate your WordPress site, it searches for this file and loads it to showcase your homepage. However, for a more user-friendly and search engine optimized permalink structure, it’s best to remove “index.php” from your URLs.

Methods to Remove “index.php”

There are several ways to remove “index.php” from your WordPress URLs; we’ll discuss the three most popular ones:

Method 1: Remove “index.php” from WordPress URLs using permalinks settings

The easiest technique is to modify your permalinks settings. Here’s how to do it:

• Step 1: Log in to your WordPress dashboard
• Step 2: Go to “Settings” and click on “Permalinks”
• Step 3: Choose “Post name” or any other preferred option
• Step 4: Save the changes

This method removes “index.php” from your WordPress URLs and makes them more SEO-friendly. However, if you’re using a custom permalink structure, this method may not work.

Method 2: Remove “index.php” from WordPress URLs using .htaccess file

The .htaccess file is a configuration file used by the Apache webserver. Here’s how to remove “index.php” from your WordPress URLs using .htaccess file:

• Step 1: Log in to your WordPress hosting account
• Step 2: Browse for the .htaccess file located in the root directory of your WordPress installation
• Step 3: Open the .htaccess file using a text editor
• Step 4: Insert the code below at the file’s top:

< IfModule mod_rewrite.c >

RewriteEngine On

RewriteBase /

RewriteRule ^index\.php$ – [L]

RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f

RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d

RewriteRule . /index.php [L]

< /IfModule >

• Step 5: Save changes to the .htaccess file

This code redirects URLs containing “index.php” to the primary URL without it while adding a trailing slash at the end.

Method 3: Remove “index.php” from WordPress URLs using a Plugin

If you prefer not to modify the .htaccess file, use a plugin to remove “index.php” from your WordPress URLs. Here are some recommended plugins:

• Remove “index.php” From URL
• WP Rewrite
• Permalink Manager Lite
• All in One SEO Pack

These plugins add code to your .htaccess file and help you remove “index.php” from your WordPress URLs with ease.

Conclusion

Removing “index.php” from your WordPress URLs is essential in creating user-friendly and SEO-friendly URLs. You can choose from the methods discussed above to achieve this. So, improve the quality of your WordPress URLs today!