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This thread is resolved. Here is a description of the problem and solution.

Problem:
The client wants to maintain the same page structure when translating URLs using WPML, specifically translating the URL /tarp-systems/eagle-retractable to French as /systemes-de-baches/eagle-retractable, while ensuring other pages under /systemes-de-baches/ use the same structure. The client is unsure whether to select 'Translate' or 'Copy from original language' for the Page URL under Translated documents options.
Solution:
We recommend selecting the 'Translate' option in WPML > Settings > Translated documents options to manually control the page slug. This allows the page slug 'eagle-retractable' to be available for translation in the WPML Translation Editor. If the client wishes to keep the same page slug 'eagle-retractable' across languages and the translation language uses encoded URLs, they should select 'Copy from original language if translation language uses encoded URLs'. Then, go to WPML > Languages > Edit languages > Select Encode URLs: Yes, for the second language. Alternatively, using the 'Auto-generate from title (default)' option will have the page slug follow the page title in the French language, which can be translated to something like /systemes-de-baches/aigle-retractable, incorporating French keywords beneficial for SEO.

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This topic contains 4 replies, has 2 voices.

Last updated by Long Nguyen 1 month, 3 weeks ago.

Assisted by: Long Nguyen.

Author Posts
October 13, 2024 at 8:14 pm #16283531

davidB-268

Background of the issue:
I am trying to maintain the same page structure when translating URLs on my site hidden link using WPML. Specifically, I want to translate the URL /tarp-systems/eagle-retractable to French, resulting in /systemes-de-baches/eagle-retractable, while ensuring other pages under /systemes-de-baches/ use the same structure.

Symptoms:
I am unclear about the effect of selecting 'Translate' under the Translated documents options for Page URL.

Questions:
Should I select 'Translate' or 'Copy from original language' for the Page URL under Translated documents options?

October 13, 2024 at 8:15 pm #16283534

davidB-268

Hello, I'm following this: https://wpml.org/documentation/getting-started-guide/translating-page-slugs/.

So there's no way to automatically translate the slugs as they exist and not take the page title?

October 14, 2024 at 9:56 am #16284995

Long Nguyen
Supporter

Languages: English (English )

Timezone: Asia/Ho_Chi_Minh (GMT+07:00)

Hi David,

Thank you for contacting WPML support, I’m happy to help you with this issue.

If you select the option "Translate" in WPML > Settings > Translated documents options, the page slug "eagle-retractable" will be available in the WPML Translation Editor for translation.

If you want to keep the same page slug "eagle-retractable" across languages, please select the option "Copy from original language if translation language uses encoded URLs".
Then go to WPML > Languages > Edit languages > Select Encode URLs: Yes, for the second language.

Looking forward to your reply.
Thanks

October 14, 2024 at 11:03 pm #16288060

davidB-268

Hi Long,

Which option is best for the user and for SEO?

Thanks,

Dave

October 15, 2024 at 1:45 am #16288256

Long Nguyen
Supporter

Languages: English (English )

Timezone: Asia/Ho_Chi_Minh (GMT+07:00)

Hi,

I think that you should use the option "Translate" to control the page slug manually, or use the option "Auto-generate from title (default)" to have the page slug follow the page title in French language.
You could translate it to something like /systemes-de-baches/aigle-retractable. This allows you to include French keywords in the URL, which is better for ranking in French search queries.

Thanks.