A custom permalink is a URL that you can fully customize instead of using the default URL generated by WordPress, where you can only change the slug (the last part of the URL).
With Permalink Manager, you can set custom permalinks from the WordPress admin dashboard without writing any code. It works with standard posts, pages, and categories, and with custom post types and taxonomies registered programmatically or by other plugins.
You can define a different permalink structure for each content type, and override the generated permalink for any individual item.
How to Change Permalink Structure Settings
By default, WordPress only lets you set the URL structure for standard posts, plus a base prefix for categories and tags. Permalink Manager lets you define a separate custom permalink structure for any post type or taxonomy and apply it to every item of that type at once.
These per-type formats are called Permastructures. You will find them under "Tools -> Permalink Manager -> Permastructures", where each registered post type and taxonomy has its own field, pre-filled with the format WordPress used before you activated the plugin.
%postname%
,
%category%
, or
%year%
.Controlling When Permalinks Change
Permalink Manager does not update custom permalinks automatically by default. You decide whether and when a URL changes, which prevents accidental edits that could hurt organic traffic or link equity.
For the same reason, changing the “Permastructure” settings affects only new permalinks and does not modify existing ones to minimize potential negative SEO impact. To apply the new permalink format to existing URLs, you must first use the "Regenerate/reset" tool.
Excluding Posts and Content Types
You can choose to exclude specific content types or posts/terms by their IDs from Permalink Manager. For instance, you can set up custom permalinks specifically for WooCommerce permalinks, without affecting the rest of your website URLs.
How to Change an Individual Custom Permalink
Sometimes the permalink generated by your Permastructure settings is not the one you want for a particular page or term.
You might want a shorter slug for one article, a specific keyword in the URL of an important page, or the original URL of a post you later renamed or moved. In each case, you can override the permalink for a single page or term.
Posts, Pages, and Custom Post Type Items
Classic Editor
You can edit individual permalinks in the same place where you normally change content and titles in the admin dashboard.
To access the custom permalink editor click the "Permalink Manager" button under the post title. You can then change the permalink (including the slug and the rest of the URL) however you like.
Block Editor (Gutenberg)
In the Block (Gutenberg) editor, set a custom permalink from the dedicated widget in the admin sidebar, shown below.
Category and Custom Taxonomies
You can use the plugin to edit individual permalinks for taxonomy terms. This includes default WordPress taxonomies such as categories and tags, as well as any custom taxonomies added via plugins or code.
The workflow is the same as for posts and pages. Open the "Edit term" editor and set the custom permalink in the same section where you edit the term's title and description.
Bulk Changes
To review and update multiple URLs at once, use the bulk editor. It lets you manage URLs separately for each post type and taxonomy.
Common Use Cases
Adding a Category or Taxonomy to Custom Permalinks
Permalink Manager allows you to include slugs from related taxonomy terms in the permalinks of your custom post types. This hierarchical structure can improve user experience by helping visitors see how your content is organized.
Removing Parent Slugs from Hierarchical Permalinks
Hierarchical post types, such as pages, and taxonomies, such as category, usually contain the parent and child categories/pages in their permalinks. Using the plugin is the easiest way to remove parent slugs from hierarchical permalinks and make them shorter.
Including Custom Fields in WordPress Permalinks
Permalink Manager can include custom fields in permalinks automatically, for example a product SKU.
FAQ
Is It Safe to Change Permalinks?
For search performance, consistency is what matters most. Google Search Central points out that frequent changes can make it harder for search engines to crawl and index your pages.
For new content, it is usually safe to adjust permalinks. Since these pages do not yet have backlinks and aren’t indexed, changing their URLs won’t negatively affect traffic or search rankings.
For pages that are already published, you need to be more careful. Changing an existing URL without a "fallback" redirect can lead to broken links, frustrating visitors and potentially lowering your search visibility.
WordPress includes a basic fallback redirect when a post slug changes, but this feature has limits. It may not work with bulk edits, custom URL structures, or URLs that include query strings, so you should not rely on it as a complete solution on its own.
Therefore, if you decide to modify existing URLs, always set up 301 redirects and check that they function correctly. Permalink Manager handles this automatically by redirecting old URLs to the new ones, helping you avoid broken links.
What Is the Difference Between Standard and Custom Permalinks?
Standard WordPress permalinks let you edit only the slug of standard posts, while custom permalinks give you control over the whole URL for any content type. The table below sums up the difference.
| Feature | Original WordPress permalinks | Custom permalinks |
|---|---|---|
| What you can edit | Only the slug, the last part of the URL | The whole URL, including the slug and the path before it |
| Content types covered | Standard posts, plus a base prefix for categories and tags | Any post type or taxonomy, including custom ones from other plugins or code snippets |
| Per-item changes | Every item follows the same global pattern | You can override the URL of any single post, page, or term |
| Custom fields in the URL | Not supported | Supported, for example a product SKU. |
| When a URL changes | Basic
wp_old_slug_redirect()
redirect | Automatic 301 redirect from the old URL to the new one |
Will Changing Permastructure Settings Automatically Update All Existing URLs?
No, changing permastructure settings only affects new permalinks by default. All existing URLs stay the same to avoid unwanted changes that could negatively impact your site's SEO and user experience.
If you want to apply the new permalink format to existing URLs, you need to use the "Regenerate/reset" tool available in the plugin settings.
When you change a permalink, Permalink Manager prevents "404 Not Found" errors by automatically redirecting the old URL to the new one using the canonical redirect.
Why Is the Custom Permalink Editor Not Showing?
If you do not see the Permalink editor in your admin area, there are usually two reasons. This often happens if the post is saved as a draft and the plugin is set to exclude drafts under "Exclusion settings".
Another common reason is that the post’s type or taxonomy is marked as excluded. Both of these settings are located under the "Exclusion settings" section in the plugin dashboard.