WordPress 3.0 comes with a new filter that lets us customize what is used for each permalink structure tag, other than WordPress default.
One of these permalink structure tags is <code>%category%</code>. By default, WordPress always use the category with lowest ID, making <code>%category%</code> impractical for SEO optimization.
Hikari Category Permalink allows post authors to choose among each post’s categories, which of them is used in that post permalink, giving much more flexibility and power to permalinks.
This plugin is a fork of <a href="https://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/scategory-permalink/" rel="ugc">Dmytro’s sCategory Permalink</a>. It has all original features and is compatible with original options, while being more stable and simple, and also fixes 2 recurring bugs.
<h4>Features</h4>
<ul>
<li>You can choose for each post separately, which category is used in its <code>%category%</code> permalink.</li>
<li>Posts without a category set to be used in permalink behave as WordPress default, (which currently is) the one with lowest ID is used</li>
<li>Posts with a category set have it used</li>
<li>In post edit page, where you set the post’s categories, there’s a new feature allowing you to choose which category will be used in permalink</li>
<li>No rewrite rules tweaks are done, making the plugin much simpler and bug free</li>
<li>If you already used sCategory Permalink, you can safely deactivate it and replace by Hikari Category Permalink, all your category permalinks will be used</li>
</ul>

Hikari Category Permalink

Seems to work on 4.3

For each post, author can choose which category is used in permalink.

Maciej Bis

The native WordPress permalink system is designed to be simple and easy to configure. Permalink Manager extends it and allows you to define custom URL structures and edit individual permalinks exactly the way you want.
The free version lets you manage URLs for posts, pages, and custom post types, while the Pro version also includes support for categories, tags, and custom taxonomies.
<a href="https://permalinkmanager.pro/docs/?utm_source=wordpressorg" rel="nofollow ugc">Documentation</a> | <a href="https://permalinkmanager.pro/features/?utm_source=wordpressorg" rel="nofollow ugc">Buy Permalink Manager Pro</a>
The plugin supports all custom post types and taxonomies, and it is compatible with popular plugins like WooCommerce, Yoast SEO, WPML, and Polylang.
Permalink Manager automatically redirects original and duplicate URLs to the correct page. Using the <a href="https://permalinkmanager.pro/docs/plugin-settings/canonical-redirects/" rel="nofollow ugc">canonical redirect</a>, it prevents the broken links that can hurt the UX and SEO, potentially causing a drop in organic traffic.
<h4>Features</h4>
<ul>
<li>Change Single Permalinks For a consistent and SEO-friendly URL structure, you may customize and <a href="https://permalinkmanager.pro/docs/basics/change-permalink/" rel="nofollow ugc">change the permalink</a> of each post, page, and custom post type item. Categories, tags & custom taxonomies terms permalinks can be edited in Permalink Manager Pro.</li>
<li>Customize URL Formats Using the “Permastructures” settings, you can choose the default format for custom URLs using “Permastructures” settings. The new format will be applied automatically when a new post/term is added or once the old permalinks are regenerated.</li>
<li>Custom Post Types Support Choose the post types and taxonomies you want to customize and exclude the rest of them. The plugin supports post types and taxonomies managed with ACF, Pods, JetEngine, Toolset Types, and other plugins.</li>
<li>Translate Permalinks With WPML or Polylang active, Permalink Manager allows you to translate the slug and customize the URL structure for every language separately.</li>
<li>Remove Parent Slugs Remove parent slugs from your WordPress URLs organize them hierarchically by <a href="https://permalinkmanager.pro/docs/tutorials/add-category-slug-wordpress-permalinks/" rel="nofollow ugc">adding categories to custom permalinks</a>, all without writing a single line of code.</li>
<li>Canonical Redirect Automatically redirect old URLs whenever they change, preventing broken links, and protecting your site’s search visibility.</li>
</ul>
<h4>Additional features available in Permalink Manager Pro</h4>
The free version covers all the necessary functions, while the premium version adds a few handy functionalities that can improve the process of adjusting WordPress permalinks.
Click here for additional information and to purchase <a href="https://permalinkmanager.pro?utm_source=wordpress" rel="nofollow ugc">Permalink Manager Pro</a>.
<ul>
<li>Custom Taxonomies Support Taxonomies are fully supported in the premium version (categories, tags & custom taxonomies). You may adjust individual term permalinks or change them all at once using “Permastructures”.</li>
<li>Full WooCommerce Support Permalink Manager Pro may be used to change the URL addresses of WooCommerce products, tags, categories, and attributes. For example, you may use the plugin to <a href="https://permalinkmanager.pro/docs/tutorials/remove-product-category-woocommerce-urls/" rel="nofollow ugc">remove /product/ and /product-category/ from WooCommerce URL</a>.</li>
<li>Custom Fields Support Permalink Manager is the only actively supported WordPress plugin that allows to <a href="https://permalinkmanager.pro/docs/tutorials/how-to-use-custom-fields-inside-wordpress-permalinks/" rel="nofollow ugc">add custom fields to permalinks</a> and requires no technical experience.</li>
<li>Extra Redirects Define extra redirects (aliases) for any post, page, or term. Additionally, you may assign a redirect URL to each post/term, which will take users to any external URL address.</li>
</ul>

Permalink Manager Lite

It works like charm. But need another plugin to edit the author slug. It would be best if there were an author slug edit option.

Great Plugin, But would be best if there were author slug edit option

Great plugin, easy to use


I tried to convince my client that his "simple request" was a total nightmare that might cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars to solve. 



Then I installed Permalink Manage Lite and was finished in about 3.9 seconds 😅 



10/10 would recommend.


Love at first site

Permalink Manager Lite by Maciej Bis is absolutely fantastic! With 100k+ installs and a perfect 5-star rating from 173 reviews, it's clearly the gold standard for URL management. Unlike WordPress's limited slug editing, this lets you customize entire URLs however you want. 

The automatic redirects from old URLs are a lifesaver for SEO. Works flawlessly with WooCommerce, Yoast, and WPML too. Bulk editing saves hours of work, and the ability to remove parent slugs creates cleaner URLs. Maciej keeps it updated regularly - this plugin is essential!

The Ultimate WordPress URL Control Plugin

Permalink Manager enhances WordPress’s built-in URL system, allowing you to change the URLs of native and custom post types and taxonomies.

Hikari Category Permalink vs Permalink Manager Lite