The question of the need for duplicate categories of type /be/ if available /se/ arises for many webmasters, especially when it comes to structuring content on thematic sites - be it car portals, blogs about repairs or legal advice. On the one hand, search engines have long been able to process synonymous URLs, but on the other hand, unnecessary categories can blur link juice and complicate navigation. But there are nuances that make /be/ not just optional, but sometimes critical for ranking.

Today we’ll figure out when the category /be/ is really necessary, how to properly integrate it into the structure of the site (especially for auto-theming), and in what cases you can do without it without losses for SEO. Spoiler: it all depends semantic core, behavioral factors and technical limitations of your CMS.

———

What are the categories /se/ and /be/ from an SEO point of view?

Let's start with the base: /se/ and /be/ - these are not standard notations, but conditional examples semantic categories, which are often used to group content thematically. In the context of auto sites, these could be:

  • 🔧 /se/remont/ — articles about repairs (for example, oil change, suspension diagnostics)
  • 📜 /se/prava/ — legal issues (fines, insurance, registration)
  • 🚗 /be/obzory/ — model reviews (test drives, comparisons)
  • 💰 /be/sdelki/ — tips for buying/selling a car

Search engines (primarily Google) analyze URL hierarchy as a signal of relevance. If you have a category /se/prava/ with articles about fines, and then you add /be/prava/ with similar content - this may cause keyword cannibalization. But there are cases where duplicate categories are justified.

For example, if /se/ used for articles-instructions (how to change brake pads), and /be/ - for analytical materials (comparing pads from different brands), then search engines will perceive them as different types of content. The main thing is not to duplicate the same material in both categories.

📊 How do you structure categories on your website?
I only use one category per topic.
Duplicate categories for different types of content
I don't use categories at all
I find it difficult to answer

When the /be/ category is required: 5 real cases

Not always /be/ needed "just like that". Here are specific situations when you can’t do without it:

  1. Separation of commercial and informational content. For example, on a car service website:
    • 🔧 /se/uslugi/ — descriptions of services (prices, terms)
    • 📚 /be/sovety/ — articles about car care (how often to change the oil)

Search engines rank sales and information pages differently. Mixing them in the same category is a bad idea.

  • Multilingual versions of the site. If you have Russian (/se/) and Belarusian (/be/) versions, then /be/ here is not a category, but language prefix. In this case, it is required for correct indexing.
  • Different target audiences. For example:
    • 👨‍🔧 /se/mehanik/ — articles for craftsmen (complex repairs, diagnostics)
    • 👨‍👩‍👧 /be/vladelcy/ — tips for owners (how to choose tires, prepare a car for winter)

      • Important: if you create /be/, make sure she does not duplicate content from /se/ even partially. Otherwise, you risk getting filtered for low-quality content.

      💡

      Before creating a new category, check in Google Search Console which queries are already driving traffic to /se/. If they overlap with the planned /be/, it is better to combine the content.

      Technical nuances: how to configure /be/ correctly

      If you decide to add a category /be/, follow these rules:

      1. CNC and redirects. The URL must be logical:
        • ✅ Correct: site.ru/be/obzory/tesla-model-3/
        • ❌ Incorrect: site.ru/be/12345 or site.ru/be/?id=678

      Use 301 redirect, if you change the category structure so as not to lose link juice.

    • Breadcrumbs. They should reflect the hierarchy: 
      <div itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/BreadcrumbList">

      <span itemprop="itemListElement" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/ListItem">
      

      <a itemprop="item" href="https://site.ru/be/"><span itemprop="name">Reviews</span></a>
      

      <meta itemprop="position" content="1" />
      

      </span>
      

      <span>></span>
      

      <span itemprop="itemListElement" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/ListItem">
      

      <span itemprop="name">Tesla Model 3</span>
      

      <meta itemprop="position" content="2" />
      

      </span>
      

      </div>
    • Canonical and indexing. If the content in /se/ and /be/ partially overlaps, use tag rel="canonical"to indicate to the search engine the priority page.
    Parameter For /se/ For /be/
    Content type Instructions, guides Reviews, analytics, opinions
    Target Audience Professionals, masters Car owners, newbies
    Update frequency Rarely (once every 1-2 years) Often (new models, trends)
    Monetization Contextual advertising, affiliate programs Native advertising, sponsored reviews
    💡

    If /be/ does not bring organic traffic within 3-6 months, it should either be closed from indexing or merged with /se/.

    When /be/ Is Harmful: 3 Red Flags

    Adding a new category is not always beneficial. Beware of these situations:

    ⚠️ Attention: If you have a small site (up to 100 pages), creating duplicate categories can lead to dilution of link weight. It's better to focus on strengthening one category.
    • 🚫 Subtle content. If in /be/ There will be 2-3 articles with low uniqueness; search engines may perceive it as a “garbage” category.
    • 🚫 Duplicate meta tags. If the pages from /se/ and /be/ identical title or description, this will lead to cannibalization.
    • 🚫 Difficult navigation. If a user needs to make more than 3 clicks to get to an article, this worsens behavioral factors.

    Example of a bad structure: 

    site.ru/be/obzory/avtomobili/legkovye/sedan/tesla/model-3/2023/

    This is too much. Optimal: 

    site.ru/be/obzory/tesla-model-3/
    How to check if /be/ is hurting your SEO?

    Use the Coverage report in Google Search Console. If pages from /be/ are marked as "Excluded" with the reason "Duplicate without canonical page" - this is a signal to act.

    How to move content from /se/ to /be/ without losing traffic

    If you decide to restructure the site and move some of the articles from /se/ in /be/, follow this algorithm:

    Create a backup of your site|Set up 301 redirects from old URLs to new ones|Update internal links|Check indexing in GSC in 2-3 weeks|Update your sitemap (sitemap.xml)-->

    Important details:

    • 🔗 Redirects. Use 301 Moved Permanently, not 302. This will save up to 90-95% of the link juice.
    • 📊 Analytics. In Google Analytics, set up a traffic segment to track referrals to new URLs.
    • 🤖 Search bots. After migration, submit new pages for indexing through the URL Inspection tool in GSC.

    An example of a correct redirect to .htaccess: 

    Redirect 301 /se/obzory/tesla-model-3/ /be/obzory/tesla-model-3/
    ⚠️ Attention: If after the transfer the traffic dropped by more than 20%, check:
    1. Correctness of redirects (use httpstatus.io).
    2. Presence of duplicates (via Screaming Frog).
    3. Update menu links and widgets.

    Alternatives to the /be/ category: when you can do without it

    If you are in doubt whether you need /be/, consider these options:

    • 🏷️ Tags instead of categories. For example, instead of /be/obzory/ use tag #review for articles. This simplifies the structure, but complicates navigation.
    • 📁 Subcategories in /se/. For example:
      • /se/obzory/ — for reviews
      • /se/instrukcii/ - for guides
    • 🔄 Dynamic filtering. Set up filters on the category home page (for example, "Content Type: Reviews / How-To").

    An example of a successful website without /be/: portal Drive2 uses a single structure /r/section-name/ for all types of content, separating them through tags and filters.

    Advantages of this approach:

    • ✔️ It’s easier to manage link weight.
    • ✔️ Less risk of cannibalization.
    • ✔️ Technical support is simplified.

    But there are also disadvantages: if the content is very different in topic (for example, reviews and legal advice), search engines may have a worse understanding of the relevance of the pages.

    FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the categories /se/ and /be/

    Is it possible to use /be/ for only part of the content and leave the rest in /se/?

    Yes, but make sure that the topics do not overlap. For example:

    • /se/prava/ — articles about fines and laws
    • /be/novosti/ — news about changes in legislation

    In this case, search engines will perceive them as complementary to each other.

    How does /be/ influence behavioral factors?

    If a category is logically structured, it improves behavioral factors: users find the content they need faster. But if there are too many categories (more than 7-10 on the site), it can confuse visitors.

    Check your metrics in Google Analytics:

    • Bounce Rate for pages /be/
    • View depth
    • Time on page

    If they are worse than /se/, it is worth reconsidering the structure.

    Is it necessary to include /be/ in robots.txt?

    Not if the category needs to be indexed. B robots.txt only those sections that need to be closed from bots are registered (for example, technical pages).

    But check that robots.txt there were no rules like: 

    Disallow: /be/

    This will completely block the category from indexing.

    How to transfer link weight when changing /se/ to /be/?

    Use 301 redirect and follow:

    • Update sitemap.xml.
    • Internal links (they should lead to new URLs).
    • External links (if possible, ask webmasters to update anchors).

    The process can take from 2 weeks to 2 months, depending on the frequency of crawling the site by search bots.

    Can /be/ help you rank for low-frequency queries?

    Yes, if you choose the right semantic core. For example:

    • B /se/ promote your request how to change engine oil.
    • B /be/ — review of 5W-40 oils for winter 2026.

    This way you cover both informational and commercial requests.