Canonical URL: Best 7 Practices for SEO Explained

Understanding Canonical URLs

A canonical URL is an HTML link element (rel=”canonical”) used in Search Engine Optimization (SEO), which directs search engines to the preferable indexed page, particularly when there are several identical or duplicate sites. Google indexes and ranks pages with canonical URLs while disregarding duplicate pages.

Using a canonical URL allows Google to identify and index the correct page and protects website owners from duplicate content penalties. This is an example of a canonical URL.

Canonical URL : https://digitalesson.com/blog/

Alternate URL : https://digitalesson.com/blog/?page=1

In the preceding example, search engines will prioritize the canonical URL, referring to it as the’ master version’ of the page, while disregarding the other URL.

1. Google’s Interpretation of a Canonical URL : Canonicalization is used by search engines, particularly Google, to identify, read, and index material from the ‘preferred’ version of a page among a collection of similar pages. Here’s how the process of canonicalization happens.
2. Identifying Similar or Identical Material : A variety of factors, including varying URL parameters, HTTP and HTTPS versions, www and non-www versions, and several pathways leading to the same content, might mislead Google. Canonicalization allows it to distinguish between the original page and its duplicates in order to better index the information for relevant search results.
3. Choose a Canonical URL : When Google scans the canonical URL, it assigns greater weight to that page, considering it more authoritative than others. Other criteria that influence canonical URL selection include content similarity, domain authority, user engagement metrics, and link popularity.
4. Indexing and Ranking : Google uses the specified canonical URL to index, display, and rank pages. While the other URLs are still valid and accessible, Google only displays the canonical URL in search results.
5. Decoding Canonical Tags : Canonical tags, like canonical URLs, signify to Google that a given URL is the master copy of a page. The former is presented as a URL structure, whereas the latter is an HTML snippet contained in the part of a website’s code.

Canonical tags guide Google on which pages to identify in case of duplicate material, and they also recommend consolidating link equity.

Example : It’s akin to saying, “Hey, even though these pages look the same, this one is the original and should be given priority in search results.”

Canonical tags essentially eliminate the problem of duplicate information, which is notably prevalent on e-commerce websites where identical product descriptions appear on many pages. With proper canonical tag implementation, Google can better comprehend a website’s structure and select the master or preferred page to index and show.

When to use Canonical Tags?

Before entering into the realm of canonical tags, it’s important to understand when you should use them on your web pages.

• When numerous URLs are sent to your homepage, such as www.example.com, example.com, and www.domain.com/index.html.
• Pages are accessible with and without following slashes (“/”), and they are capitalization-sensitive.
• URL rewriting.
• Content is provided in a variety of forms, including PDFs and print versions.
• Several HTTPS variations of the website.

Difference Between Canonical Tags and Regular URLs

So far, we’ve covered the fundamentals of canonical URLs and tags. However, in order to successfully integrate canonical tags and ordinary URLs, site developers and SEO professionals must first grasp the distinction between the two.

• Canonical Tags : These are used to indicate the preferred version of a webpage. These tags are especially beneficial for websites that have duplicate material across numerous URLs. Using a canonical tag allows Google to determine the master’s or ‘preferred’ page to index and display in search results while disregarding other similar pages.
• Regular URLs : This simple online link serves as an address for a webpage or specific piece of web content, allowing users to navigate more easily.

Impact on SEO: Canonical Tags

• Canonical tags : Have a significant influence on SEO since they eliminate duplicate content concerns. By directing Google to the ‘preferred’ page, these tags ensure that the search engine indexes the marked version rather than the duplicate. This greatly decreases the likelihood of getting fined for duplicating material. It consolidates link signals (such as backlinks) to the canonical page, which may improve its search ranking.
• Regular URLs : A descriptive and well-structured URL is one of the ranking variables since it improves user experience, which in turn enhances ranks.
• HTML Usage Canonical Tags : Implemented in the section of an HTML page using the format. This tag refers to the chosen URL.
• Regular URLs : Linking elements in HTML include , , and more.

Indexing

Impact on SEO

• Canonical Tags : Because these tags may inform Google which sites to index, webmasters have more control over the indexing of their pages, which helps to improve visibility and ranks.
• Regular URLs : They do not give this amount of control. Search engines examine each URL individually until directed differently via methods such as canonicalization or redirects.

• Canonical tags : Have a significant influence on SEO since they eliminate duplicate content concerns. By directing Google to the ‘preferred’ page, these tags ensure that the search engine indexes the marked version rather than the duplicate. This greatly decreases the likelihood of getting fined for duplicating material. It consolidates link signals (such as backlinks) to the canonical page, which may improve its search ranking.
• Regular URLs : A descriptive and well-structured URL is one of the ranking variables since it improves user experience, which in turn enhances ranks.
• HTML Usage on Canonical Tags : Implemented in the <head> section of an HTML page using the <link rel=”canonical” href=”URL”/> format. This tag refers to the chosen URL.
• Regular URLs : Linking elements in HTML include <a href=”URL”>, <img src=”URL”>, and more.

The Importance of Canonical Tags in SEO

1. Help with Monitoring and Analytics : Multiple URLs for the same content might complicate monitoring and analytics since data may be spread between multiple URLs. A canonical URL guarantees that all user interaction metrics are linked to a single URL, resulting in clearer and more reliable data for analysis.
2. Avoid the Panda Penalty : Google’s Panda algorithm upgrade focuses on websites with low-quality, scant, or duplicate material. Canonical URLs assist search engines in understanding which material is important and should be prioritized, lowering the chance of being punished by algorithm modifications.
3. Improved user Experience : In rare circumstances, users may share or bookmark several copies of the same information. Canonical URLs can assist to provide a consistent user experience by redirecting all users to the same preferred URL.
4. Best Practices for Canonical Tags : Improper canonical tag implementation might cause Google to ignore your ‘preferred’ and instead index numerous versions. This can result in duplicate content penalties, which have a major impact on your website’s visibility and rankings. Here are some best practices for implementing canonical tags on your web pages.
5. A single Canonical URL Per Page : Remember that, while canonical tags are designed to reduce Google’s uncertainty, having many canonical tags on a website might confuse the search engine. Ensure that the tag is used just once per page and using a CMS rather than handwritten HTML. If you utilized a CMS to create a canonical tag, you should not use it manually, and vice versa.
6. Ensure the Correct Domain Protocol : When adding a canonical tag, be sure to specify whether your website is using HTTP or HTTPS as the domain protocol.
7. Update on Trailing and Non-Trailing Slash URLs : When using canonical tags, be sure to verify your webpage for trailing slashes. A trailing slash is the slash ‘/’ that appears at the end of a URL. If the page’s URL version has both a trailing slash and a non-trailing slash, Google may misinterpret the versions as independent URLs, resulting in duplicate content concerns. When providing a canonical tag, pay close attention to your page’s URL structure, particularly the slash. Here’s an example of both trailing and non-trailing slash URLs:

• Trailing slash: https://digitalesson.com/
• Non-trailing slash: https://digitalesson.com/
• Mention WWW or Non-WWW URLs

Even if your URL looks the same, Google nonetheless treats the WWW and non-WWW versions as independent pages. As a result, you must be selective about which URLs you wish to index and provide the version in the canonical tag.

8. Absolute URLs are the Way to go : An absolute URL is your website’s whole structure, including the domain, such as https://digitalesson.com/. When setting a canonical, it is advisable to utilize the absolute URL to avoid any misunderstanding from Google during indexing. The following is an example of a canonical tag in an absolute URL:

• (<link rel=”canonical” href=”https://digitalesson.com/blog/”>.)

9. Mistakes to Avoid with Canonical Tags : Implementing a canonical tag is simple, but doing it wrong might result in Google penalties and a decline in ranks. As a result, before you begin using canonical tags, you should be aware of the most typical mistakes to avoid.
10. Directing Canonical Tags to Pages with Redirects : To avoid Google becoming confused by an incorrect canonical tag, ensure that the canonical URL does not redirect. For example, if https://digitalesson.com/blog/?page=1 is redirected to https://digitalesson.com/blog/, do not include a canonical tag in the original URL.
11. Non-Duplicate Content Canonical Tags : There is no value in utilizing canonical tags for URLs with non-duplicate content because Google will most likely disregard them. Google warns against employing the method that has been in place for a while.
12. Using robots.txt with Canonicalized Tag URLs : Do not add a robots.txt file to a canonicalized tag URL, as Google will not index the page or detect the canonical tag. This results in a loss of link equity and renders the page with the canonical tag ineffective.

How can I Audit Canonical Tags?

Regular canonical tag audits are an important part of thorough SEO upkeep. The audit guarantees that the tags are properly constructed and that search engines accurately recognize and index the recommended versions of your web pages.

Here’s a step-by-step method for doing a canonical tags audit.

• Use a tool like Screaming Frog, Ahrefs, or Google Search Console to crawl your website and get a list of all the URLs.
• Examine each page for the presence of a canonical tag in the HTML header section. This is often in the format: <link rel=”canonical”.
• Ensure that the canonical tags are properly structured and contain absolute URLs (such as http:// or https://).
• Check that the URL in the canonical tag corresponds to the URL of the page it’s on. Inconsistencies can lead to confusion in search engines.
• Search for several sites that have similar or duplicate material. Ensure that these pages have canonical tags leading to the preferred (canonical) version.
• Check for canonical tags that refer to redirected URLs. The canonical URL should be the final destination URL, not a sequence of redirects.
• Use tools such as Google Search Console to ensure that search engines index the canonical sites rather than the non-canonical ones.
• Look for canonical pages that also include the ‘no index’ tag. This may be conflicting and should be resolved.
• Make sure the URLs in your sitemap match the canonical URLs. The sitemap should not include non-canonical URLs.
• Use analytics tools to track the traffic and rankings of your canonical pages. A decrease in traffic or rankings may suggest a problem with the canonicalization.

Conclusions

In simpler terms, navigating the complex world of canonical URLs and tags may seem overwhelming at first. However, as we’ve discussed in this blog, correctly using them is crucial for SEO success.

It’s not just about avoiding penalties or problems with duplicate content; it’s about organizing the way search engines see and list your website.

By following the best practices for canonical tags and URLs, you make sure that search engines are directed to the most relevant and trustworthy version of your content. This improves your site’s visibility and the experience for users.

Contact us to receive reliable SEO services that address your canonical tag issues and optimize your website. With our help, you can rise to the top of search engine rankings and see your web traffic increase.