Is it compulsory to place keyword in URL to rank over Google?

[NFSC]

That's outdated SEO thinking. An exact-match slug won't rescue thin content or weak topical authority. Keep URLs short, readable, and descriptive.

[kerrygill]

No, it's not compulsory to put the exact keyword in the URL to rank on Google.

A clean, descriptive URL can help users and Google understand the page, but the keyword itself is not a major ranking requirement. Google also says keywords in the domain or URL path have very little effect on rankings.

I'd focus more on search intent, useful content, on-page SEO, internal linking, and relevant backlinks. If the keyword fits naturally in the URL, great—but I wouldn't change an existing URL just to add it.

[michaelcarter]

Yes, keywords in URLs can help, but they are not compulsory for ranking. What matters more is having a clear, relevant, user-friendly URL structure and strong overall on-page SEO.