Canonical URL
A canonical URL is the preferred version of a web page that search engines should index and rank when several URLs show the same or very similar content. It is declared with a <link rel="canonical"> tag in the page's head.
A canonical URL is the preferred version of a web page that search engines should index and rank when several URLs show the same or very similar content. It is declared with a <link rel="canonical"> tag in the page's head.
The Context
Duplicate URLs appear through tracking parameters, HTTP vs HTTPS, trailing slashes, pagination, and syndicated content. A self-referencing canonical on every page, plus canonicals pointing duplicates to the original, consolidates ranking signals onto one URL.
Why It Matters for AI Search
Wrong or missing canonicals split authority between duplicates, cause "Duplicate without user-selected canonical" errors in Search Console, and can confuse which page AI engines cite.
Common Questions About Canonical URL
What is a self-referencing canonical?
A self-referencing canonical is a canonical tag on a page that points to that page's own URL. It is a best practice because it tells search engines this exact URL is the preferred version, protecting it from parameter and tracking duplicates.
What is a non-canonical URL?
A non-canonical URL is a duplicate or alternate version of a page whose canonical tag points to a different URL. Search engines usually index the canonical version and consolidate signals there instead.
How do I add a canonical tag in HTML?
Add <link rel="canonical" href="https://example.com/page"> inside the <head> of the page, using the absolute URL of the preferred version.
Further Reading
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