What are breadcrumbs

In the computer field, the breadcrumb refers to a secondary navigation system. The role of this system is to show a user their position on an application or on a website. It is a process that has many advantages in the field of natural referencing. The breadcrumb trail also helps you to have better positioning in search engines. Here are some pointers on what breadcrumbs are and how to use them in your SEO strategy.

Know the different kinds

Breadcrumbs can be classified into 3 categories according to the elements on which they are generally based:

• The tree structure, based directly on the organization of the site, from the home page to the user’s current position.
• The attributes, often configured to appear when a user refines their search on an online sales platform by applying filters.
• The visitor’s path, displayed according to the visitor’s path on the site.

Crawlers use them

The breadcrumb trail allows websites to improve their crawl so that search engine spiders can analyze it more easily to rank it among search results. It is also a navigation function used to create a better user experience, which Google prioritizes in its ranking criteria. If the user can easily find his way on your platform thanks to this feature, Google will consider your site as being of quality.

Reduce your bounce rate

Any part of your website can be an entry point for the user, so you need a way to guide them to your site if the page in question does not meet their needs. As a result, they can stay on the site longer and continue browsing to find the information they require. One thing leading to another, the bounce rate decreases, which ultimately benefits your site’s SEO.

Better conversion rate

Even if users don’t necessarily click on the links in the breadcrumb trail, its mere presence reassures the site user. This allows visitors to stay longer on your pages and to navigate more fluidly. The browsing experience is very important in the purchasing process. The breadcrumb trail therefore plays an indirect role in converting your visitors into new customers.

When learning what breadcrumbs are, remember: the breadcrumb trail is omnipresent on the web. Particularly useful for e-commerce sites, it is an essential marker for users that also facilitates accessibility to search engine robots.