The URL alias is the user-friendly, clean URL for your content – e.g., instead of yoursite.duke.edu/node/123, the URL displays as yoursite.duke.edu/page-title.

The URL alias defaults to the Title of the content item being created, but it can be customized if needed.

Important Considerations for URL Aliases

Restricted URLs

You cannot use a URL Alias that is already in use by another piece of content, a Content Type List Page, or reserved by the system (e.g., /admin).

Sub-Pages do not Inherit Changes

Child pages will inherit the Menu Title of the parent page in the URL, not the URL alias or Page Title of the parent page. For example:

  • Parent page: Menu Title is "Meeting Dates" but URL alias is "/meetings"
  • Child page: URL is then "/meeting-dates/child"

When you change the URL alias of a page, the URL alias does not automatically update for all subpages within that specific section of your site.

  • You will need to re-save each page in the section so that the URL will update accordingly.
  • Alternately, you can bulk edit content by selecting all of the pages you want to re-save and then select Update URL alias in the Action dropdown.

Creating Shorter URLs

You may customize a URL Alias to make it shorter.

As an example, a page called "The History of Student Affairs at Duke Over the Ages" would have a long default URL alias: /history-student-affairs-duke-over-ages. You might change your URL alias to simply be /history. Then, a user would visit http://studentaffairs.duke.edu/history, but they will still see the entire Title, "The History of Student Affairs at Duke Over the Ages," at the top of the page.

Updating URL Aliases & Redirects

There are known issues that can occur when editing URL aliases and redirects. Please reach out to our team for assistance if you encounter these.

Duke's Own URL Shortener

If you need a concise URL for promotional purposes, consider the https://duke.is/ URL shortener.

How to Create a Custom URL Alias

Screenshot of URL Alias panel with the generate automatic url alias checkbox and url alias text field.

1. Find the content item you want to add a URL alias to.

2. Open the URL alias expand/collapse section.

3. The URL Alias defaults to Generate automatic URL alias, which automatically creates the URL alias using the Title of the content item. To change the URL alias, deselect this checkbox.

4. Change the URL alias by specifying another name. Use only lowercase letters (a-z), numbers, and hyphens.