Canonical URL
An HTML tag that tells search engines which version of a page is the original or preferred one.
Why It Matters
Canonical tags prevent duplicate content issues that dilute rankings across multiple URLs.
How It Works
When multiple URLs serve similar or identical content, the canonical tag points to the preferred version. Search engines consolidate ranking signals to the canonical URL instead of splitting them across duplicates.
Real-World Example
A product page accessible at 3 different URLs uses a canonical tag to consolidate all ranking signals to one URL.
Common Mistakes
Setting canonicals to pages that return 404 errors
Having conflicting canonical tags and redirects
Related Terms
Canonical URL FAQs
When should I use a canonical tag vs a 301 redirect?
Use canonicals when you need both URLs accessible; use 301 redirects when you want to permanently consolidate to one URL.
Can Google ignore canonical tags?
Yes, Google treats canonical tags as hints, not directives, and may choose a different canonical based on its analysis.
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