What Is A Canonical Tag And Why It Is Important For SEO? | Canonical Tag Example
In the ever-evolving world of SEO, the canonical acts as a hero, quietly guiding search engines away from the possible harms of duplicate content. A canonical tag, also known as a canonical link, is a tag in a page’s source code that explains to search engines the master version of that page. Canonical tags are typically used to support SEO efforts. They help search engines index the correct URLs and clog issues with duplicate content.
What is a Canonical Tag in SEO?
A canonical tag is an HTML specification in the header of a website’s source code. It refers to the primary page. A canonical URL is used for websites, that contain the same content. When a canonical URL is marked perfectly then the search engines index only the source, preventing duplicate content issues.
In simple terms, a canonical tag is a tiny piece of HTML code that helps search engines identify the main version of a page among the same pages. In SEO, canonical tags are used to let Google know which version of a page you would like to show in the search results. Also, the canonical tags can help you to strengthen the link equity from the duplicate pages and it plays an important role in improving and indexing the website.
Why is Canonical Tag Important for SEO?
The main motive of the canonical tag is to inform the search engines which page is the authentic version which is important and which pages are duplicates and use the same content.
Usually, websites contain those pages, we think about that are duplicates, and they display the same content but have different URLs.
In the examples, Google has to make a decision that which page from the set of identical pages should be used for ranking and indexing purposes. The search engine wouldn’t use the whole pages in the form of the search results because they all look the same or very similar.
For instance, a product page on an online store might not appear at a specific URL. Instead, it can be displayed to users based on various parameters. This is typically utilized by e-commerce websites, such as currency and sizes, due to the filters, etc.)
When should You Use the Canonical Tags?
You can use the canonical tags when you have the same content available at the various URLs. It generally contains more than one URL. Here are some of the causes why this can happen-
- You have duplicate content on both the mobile and desktop versions of the pages: for example, m.example.com and example.com.
- You have duplicate content at the URLs with and without trailing slashes: For example- example.com and example.com)
- You have duplicate content on desktop and mobile versions of pages: For example- example.com and example? Tracking- code
Canonical Tag Example
A canonical URL is the URL of the most representative page from a group of pages. It is established by Google. For example, if you have two URLs for the same page, such as example.com/dresses/1234, Google selects one as the canonical version. This means that if you have many nearly identical pages, Google can merge them. For instance, pages that differ only by filtering or sorting content by item, price, or color can result in one being chosen as canonical.
How to Add the Canonical Tags in SEO?
You can usually do this by adding <link rel=”canonical” href=”https://example.com/”> to the <head> section of your page’s code, but not everybody does this because it is a hectic process. It is usually can be an easy process if you do this through the website platform.
But you have to select it, you always have to follow these rules that are mentioned below-
1. Use the correct domain: If you consider about the SSL then you always have to ensure that you don’t combine any non-SSL (i.e., HTTP) URLs in your canonical tags. Doing this can create the situation of illusion on Google’s part and lead you got the results that you wouldn’t ever expected.
2. Use the correct URLs: Google always says no to using the relative URLs. Example- /sample- page/), even though they are supported. It means you should include the correct URLs in the canonical tags. For example- https:// example.com/ sample- page/).
3. Specify only canonical per page: Google will not focus on the declared canonicals if you declare more than one. You just have a look at the procedure on some famous channels.
How to Check the Canonical Tags?
You can check the canonical tags using the URL investigation tool in the Google search console or by using the canonical tag checker tool. You can also check the source code of a page with different methods:
Using the URL inspection tool
- Enter the URL of the page that you want to check
- You can scroll down to the page indexing block
- Look at the Google-selected canonical field
Using a canonical tag checker tool
- You have to choose an audit option
- You have to select the individual page or the whole pages
- You have to click on ”start audit”
Checking the source code
- Right-click on the page
- Press the control F option and search for the canonical
- Check that the URL part of the href= is the URL that you want to be indexed.
What are the Common Canonical Tag Issues in SEO and How to Fix Them?
In SEO, canonical issues are related to the canonicalization of content on a website. In simple terms, when a site contains two or more identical URLs, the search engine cannot decide which page should get the top priority.
With the help of Google Search Console, you can find out which version of the URL Google thinks is the correct one. This tool also indicates the whole pages that are being affected by the specific canonicalization problems. If you plan to audit your website for canonical problems and get quick solution tips, then you can gain an advantage from using dedicated tools such as SE Ranking’s website audit.
Here are the main common canonical tag issues most marketers face-
(1) Incorrect canonical elements: Trendy content management systems make the canonicalization process easy by providing the facility of copy and paste to the chosen canonical URL in the assignation section.
Unfortunately, they might use inappropriate methods for setting the canonical tag which makes it ineffectual. This is one of the most common canonical tag problems that every individual have to face when they are doing their work with a CMS and it can be very disappointing.
If you choose the URL that isn’t fit in the canonical version even you work accordingly to the important steps in your CMS, you should have a look on the page’s HTML to review that the tag format is accurate or not.
You can be able to solve those problems whom you can see around you. It is better to contact the CMS provider and inform them about the issue. So that, these kind of situations will not produce again.
(2) Language Varients without localized annotations: If you provide the similar content in various languages, Google consider this as a duplication. This is particularly true for the pages with the different variants of a similar language, where you can only make the transforms in the spelling like American VS British English.
If the languages are completely different then you have to remember one thing “Google does not index the actual page contents, it indexes the URLs.” To prevent the situations of the duplicate content, you have to utilize the localized annotations by combining the one more tag hreflang.
Why does One Page Combine the Complete Three Variants?
- Here are the two reasons for that-
- Google usually emphasizes by utilizing the self-referencing Hreflang tags.
- Hreflang tags are collaborative, it means that if one page proceeds you towards the next mode that mode is also required to move back it also.
As same as the canonical tags, the hreflang tags can be executed in three types-
- Combining it in the HTTP Header
- Add a tag in the heading part of the page’s HTML
- Add this to sitemap
(3) Syndicated Content: If you advertise your content to many websites then it can be difficult for Google to find the the actual statement of your work. A canonical link element does not work more perfectly here because your content is available on are the various places.
Rather, you should insist the syndication associates to prevent the Google’s bots from listing your content on their site. This can be happen by utilizing the following robot meta tag:
<meta name = “Google bot” content= “noindex”>
(4) Spiteful Hacking: Canonicalization issues can also arise when a website can be the prey of a cyberattack. For example, a cyber- terrorist can pour out the code that combines 3xx redirects or cross-domain canonical annotations, leading the website to spiteful and fraud URLs.
Google’s crawlers even follow these signs, so they may give the priority to the spiteful URL compare to the impacted one. If you feel that it is happening then you should contact a cybersecurity professional for help.
What is a Canonical Issue in SEO?
Not using a canonical tag perfectly can produce major canonical problems. This thing can be proven true when the different- different websites provide similar content with the help of distinct URLs. Sites like these must use canonical tags to indicate the preferred URL for these pages to prevent certain problems.
Canonical issues generally produce duplicate content problems. They confuse the search engines and make the situation complicated for the search boats to decide which version of the content should be shown in the search results and which version of the content should be indexed. It is your responsibility to check the canonical URLs daily. This point helps you to make sure that it is similar to the preferred page for indexing.
Unfortunately, they may use inappropriate methods for setting the canonical tag, which makes it ineffectual. This is one of the main common issues in the canonical tags that you may have to face when you are dealing with the CMS and this can be very disappointing.
If you prefer the URL that isn’t suit according to the canonical version even you follow all the significant steps in your CMS, you should investigate the page’s HTML to check that the tag format is correct or not. While you are capable to solve the problems which you notice independently.
What are the Advantages of Canonical Tags in SEO?
Using canonical tags has various crucial advantages in the SEO. The SEO services are usually used by a lot of people and businesses. It combines freelancers, digital marketing agencies, etc. Some of the common SEO advantages of the canonical link tag are given below-
1. They include the PageRank: Canonical tags help you consolidate the link equity (PageRank) from all duplicate pages into the primary one on the canonical page. When duplicate pages are present, search engines may enhance the ranking power across them. Duplicate pages can often receive backlinks from various external sources—whether those are backlinks from posts on social media, forums, random websites, etc.
By using the canonical tag, you will describe the search engines to treat one page as the major version, improving the ranking and combining the link equity of the primary page in the search results.
2. They improve crawling: Canonical tags support search engines such as Google to perfectly index and crawl the websites. Canonical link tags support you by connecting the crawlers to concentrate on the main version of a page instead of wasting your time on duplicate ones. Duplicate pages waste Google’s time and resources because they are not useful for indexing or crawling purposes.
By appointing the canonical pages on the website, Google can focus on the pages that are more useful or contain more value. They save the ‘’crawl budget’’ and help you to get the top rank in the SERPs.
3. They help manage syndicated content: The websites that share their content on various websites or channels, canonical tags are crucial. Various website owners use external websites for publishing their content. They publish the content informative content for promotional purpose.
In these situations, Google has to make a decision that which website is the most useful or authentic source for the content. The content should be shown in the form of search results in the SERPs and you also have to display which website is promoting it.
Setting the canonical tags on external websites can help you to solve the problem and promote the main and authentic version of the page in the Google search.
Conclusion
Canonicalization can be confusing for you if you are not familiar with it. Like the other dimensions of technical SEO, it can be confusing to you. There are a lot of digital marketing companies in the world who want to grow and promote their business worldwide.
So if you also looking for the best digital marketing agency in Jaipur then the first point on which you have to concentrate is whether the service you choose can meet your business objectives and goals or not. If yes then you can choose this service. It helps to give your business a new hike. Here we have cleared this point that whatever you see in this blog can help you to index your website more effectively.
If you index your website perfectly then you don’t need to wait for too long. Google can index your canonical URLs within a few days or in few months in some cases. You notice the visible differences in a few days.
FAQ(Frequently Asked Questions)
Q1. Why are the canonical tags significant?
A1. Canonical tags are crucial because they support the search engine to know which version of the page should be indexed. It helps to get the top rank for the original content.
Q2. What is a canonical URL in SEO?
A2. A canonical URL is a URL that Google represents as a pro. It is a set of duplicate or non-duplicate pages. It explains the difference between an authentic piece of art and its prints. The canonical URL is what Google will index and possibly return to the users in the Google search.
Q3. What is the purpose of canonical?
A3. The main purpose of the canonical is to let Google know which URLs are credible sources of truth and which ones are duplicates.
Q4. How to fix canonical tags issues?
A4. To fix the canonical tag problems, you have to make sure that you are using the self-referencing tags and solve the duplicate content problems. You also have to make sure that you are using the correct URLs.
