I Got this in the Hub Pages Weekly e-mail:

1. 85

   DzyMsLizzyposted 13 years ago

   (I've used old-style journalism quote format, as the "quote" formatting did not work--the quote was hidden instead!)
   
   "An Argument for Generic URLs
   "In last week's newsletter, we touched on over-optimization penalties and how you can avoid them in part by having Hub titles that are slightly different from URLs. There is another reason why it pays to have a URL that is slightly different from your title: it allows for greater versatility!
   
   "Say you write a Hub on planting aloe vera in backyard gardens. Your title could be a nice, specific "How to Plant Aloe Vera in Your Backyard" but your URL could be "hubpages.com/hub/aloe-vera" Down the line, if you realize that a lot of your search traffic comes from people looking to plant aloe vera and use it for skin care, you could easily add more content to your Hub and change the title to "How to Plant Aloe Vera and Use it to Improve Your Skin" without your URL becoming off-topic.
   
   "This tactic is also great for product reviews, as it allows you to update years in titles and add information without making your Hub seem outdated because of an overly-specific URL. From now on, then, go for specific, long-tail titles, but generic URLs. It can make a big difference."
   
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   I tried to follow the link to the learning center posted at the end of this advice, but it was not clickable.  So I copied/pasted it, and went there.  No such topic as quoted here is visible.
   
   The main problem I see with this suggestion, is this:  It is impossible!
   
   Every time I try to use a short and to-the-point URL (being identical to your title, by default, as you fill in the title box), I get an error message telling me "that title is already taken; choose another."
   
   Ergo, it seems "long-tail" titles/URL's are interlinked by default.  Even is someone has altered the URL (I haven't been able to make this work), the short version is probably still "already taken."
   
   Explanation, please?

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   1. 72

      relacheposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      No it isn't.  I do it all the time.  In fact, I'm often surprised by what short two or three keyword phrases aren't Hub titles.

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2. 66

   2uesdayposted 13 years ago

   I think I understand what you are asking.
   
   One way around the setting up the URL and title to be different is to type in the title box what you want the URL to be. Proceed to make your hub, when you are ready to publish at that point, before pressing the publish button alter your title so that you have the URL short and the title a longer variation of it.
   
   Hope I have understood that right if not someone may help soon with a better solution.
   
   If it is the short URL that is the problem then I can only suggest switching the words about until you get one that is not taken. If you are writing on a very popular topic this may be why you are finding it a problem.

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   1. 85

      DzyMsLizzyposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Ooooohh... Thank you 2uesday!
        So that's how it's done--after the fact!!  Thanks!  I appreciate the explanation.

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3. 82

   Mark Ewbieposted 13 years ago

   Yeah I tried creating a hub "Make Money" and to my surprise it was taken.  So I tried again with "SEO Tips" and that was gone as well.  Fortunately "Harry Manboobs" is still available so I'm going to go with that instead.  Although I need some material to work with.  Now where to find it I wonder?

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