To ensure that URLs load correctly and avoid issues like broken links, here are some characters you should generally avoid or handle with care:
Characters to Avoid:
- Spaces: Spaces should never be used in URLs. They are typically replaced with %20 when encoded, but it’s best to avoid them altogether and use hyphens (-) or underscores (_) instead.
- Non-ASCII Characters: This includes characters with accents (é, à, ü), symbols (€, ©, ®), and characters from non-Latin alphabets. These characters need to be URL-encoded, which can make the URL longer and less user-friendly. If possible, stick to ASCII characters.
- Reserved Characters: Certain characters have special meanings in URLs and should be avoided unless they are used for their intended purpose. These include:
#(fragment identifier)?(query string delimiter)&(query string parameter separator)=(assigns values to query string parameters)+(represents a space in query strings)%(used for URL encoding)/(path separator)
Characters to Use with Caution:
- Uppercase Letters: While technically allowed, uppercase letters can sometimes cause problems, especially on case-sensitive servers. It’s generally recommended to use lowercase letters in URLs.
- Hyphens and Underscores: These are generally safe to use for separating words in URLs. However, some systems might treat them differently, so it’s best to be consistent in your usage.
Recommendations:
- Keep URLs simple and clean: Use lowercase letters, hyphens, or underscores to separate words.
- Avoid spaces and non-ASCII characters: If you must use them, make sure they are properly URL-encoded.
- Be mindful of reserved characters: Only use them for their intended purpose.
- Test your URLs: After creating a URL, always test it to make sure it works as expected.
By following these guidelines, you can help ensure that your URLs are well-formed and load correctly across different browsers and platforms.