Breadcrumbs are a type of navigation route on websites that significantly impact SEO, and Google attaches great importance to them. For example, it may have happened that you have no information about the navigated path after entering a site and reading the contents and numerous pages. A Breadcrumb can help you find your current position inside the website by recording the route taken. The primary purpose of Breadcrumb is to allow users to see their current position on the website.

Today, this element is used in all sites for users’ convenience and to get ranking from Google search engines. The article “Ultimate Guide To SEO Technical Audit” introduces breadcrumbs briefly. In this article on the Smart Strategy blog, we will explain breadcrumb navigation, its different types, and how to import breadcrumbs to the website. 

What is the Breadcrumb?

Breadcrumbs mean the guidance of the path taken on a website. Do you remember the story of Hansel and Gretel? Siblings who used bread crumbs and chocolate to find their way back home.

The Breadcrumb concept in website design is taken from this story. Breadcrumbs show users the path they have taken on the website and allow them to return to where they started.

When you enter different site pages, a sequence of sections and categories of the site you entered is displayed in the upper part of the site, i.e., under the header menu or navigation Bar. This menu shows the path from the current page to the previous and home pages. This navigation increases the website’s ease of use and improves the site’s SEO status and ranking.

Navigations are the site links that allow users to track the location of different website pages and their distance from the parent or main page.

location breadcrumb navigation

 

Breadcrumbs navigation applications

navigation brings useful features for user experience or UX, such as increasing the ease of site navigation. But the features and benefits of the breadcrumbs do not lead to this. According to the latest update of Google algorithms, the importance of Breadcrumb has significantly increased, and it plays a fundamental role in the SEO of the site.

Other advantages of this unique tool include the following:

  • The convenience of users in searching the site
  • The convenience of Google in searching and categorizing the site

What are the types of breadcrumbs navigation?

Breadcrumb navigation, page indication, or path guidance is a part of UI (User Interface) design that facilitates user movement on site pages. Navigations are used in operating systems, software programs, blogs, and websites, allowing the user to be redirected to the desired directory with each click.

Breadcrumb navigations are divided into three categories:

1. Location base breadcrumbs:

One of the most common types of breadcrumb navigation is Location base breadcrumbs. This type of navigation is used on many sites. The structure of this Breadcrumb is such that it displays the exact position of the page where the user is. This tool shows users how to return to the home page at the top of the screen. Using this tool, the user can quickly return to the previous pages of the site by clicking on any of its links.

location breadcrumb

2. Attribute base indicator:

 It must have happened to you that you entered Amazon and looked for shirts. When you enter the product classification, you may also need to choose the color and size of your dress. The color and size are attribute-based attribute-based Navigations.

3. Path breadcrumb or history pages:

This type shows the user’s path. The user will understand what paths they have taken on the site. The path breadcrumbs may not seem necessary because the browser’s back button does this for the user. But the helpful path of the guide pages is considered one of the advantages of the website.

When is it necessary to use breadcrumb navigation?

  Using the breadcrumb navigation will be helpful for sites with a complex structure and multiple categories for different topics and sections. Any website or blog can use Navigations unless it has a well-defined site hierarchy. Breadcrumb navigation is an additional feature for your site; you cannot replace it in any way with the site’s main menu.

 

How to add breadcrumbs navigation to the website?

Usually, WordPress sites have the option to enable this feature, and you can use the Yoast plugin. You can place the Navigations code in the Single.Php or Page.Php files at the top of the page title. Some WordPress themes place it at the end of the Header.Php file. Be careful not to put the code in the Functions.Php file, as it will cause clutter. 

After adding this code, go to Add Yoast SEO plugin and enable breadcrumb support. Also, to make their appearance more attractive, there are special codes that you can use to make your site look more beautiful.

 

What is the impact of breadcrumbs navigation on SEO?

1. Quickly crawling and indexing by Google

You know that Google search bots enter the site to index the pages, and if there is no problem with the site map, they will access the content in the best way. The navigation helps you structure your site efficiently, so Google search bots can check your site structure and page links more quickly. In addition, Breadcrumb provides a pleasant user experience, thus positively affecting your site’s SEO.

2. Increase the CTR

when you appear on Google, if you use the navigations, the position of the content in the site structure will be shown to the user. Therefore, if the user’s attention is drawn to your content, they will enter the site, and the CTR of your site will increase.

The Panda and Penguin algorithms favor Navigations and increase the CTR on your links.

3. Reduce the bounce rate: 

When your site has breadcrumb navigation, users can see various topics related to their interests and go to other pages. Therefore, the bounce rate of users will decrease and positively impact your site’s SEO.

4. Improve the user experience

Similar to the example we mentioned at the beginning of the text, it happens to users who search a lot on the Internet, So it is common for users to forget where they came from. Breadcrumbs help the users remember their position and provide satisfaction.

5. valuable for the mobile version

The breadcrumbs are placed horizontally on the site with small font. Therefore, websites that have Navigations are helpful for users who enter the website with a mobile phone.

6. Easily access the desired content

It reduces the number of unnecessary clicks by users to reach the desired content.

 

Tips for using Breadcrumb navigation

1. There should be no repeated items or writings in breadcrumbs because it will confuse the user.

2. Use familiar symbols to mark pages so users aren’t confused.

3. Use the keyword related to the article to help your site’s SEO.

4. Navigations should be a manageable size, as it is a secondary tool for the main navigation bar of your website. 

5. Use the breadcrumbs appropriate for your site. For example, store websites should use attribute Navigations. For example, the Amazon website uses this type of navigation for its pages.

6. Modify your pages according to the audience. Apple company uses the guide path of the pages at the bottom because its audiences are experts, and they prefer the navigation bar to be displayed at the bottom of the page.

7. It helps to categorize your site content more easily and clearly, so you won’t have duplicate titles.

8. Do not use Navigations instead of headings; use specific page titles.

9. Specify the page the user is on in the breadcrumb section. You can use bold type or color the letters. Find a way to make it stand out.

10. The page where the user is should not be a link because clicking on it will not lead to a new page.

 

conclusion

In this article on smart strategy, we dive deep into different sides of breadcrumb navigation.

Smart strategy as a leading digital marketing agency providing SEO services in Canada. Please contact us for more information about our SEO services and a consultation with our SEO strategist.

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