A canonical tag is an HTML element (<link rel="canonical">) that tells search engines the preferred version of a webpage when duplicate or similar content exists. It helps to avoid duplicate content issues and ensures SEO value is passed to the right page.
Quick Overview of Canonical Tag in SEO
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Definition | An HTML tag that specifies the main or original version of a page. |
| Purpose | Prevent duplicate content problems and consolidate ranking signals. |
| Key Elements | Correct URL, placed in <head> section, one canonical per page. |
| Tools | Google Search Console, Screaming Frog, Ahrefs, Semrush. |
| Benefit | Protects rankings and improves crawl efficiency. |
How Canonical Tag Works (With Example)
A canonical tag works by pointing search engines to the main version of a page when there are multiple similar URLs.
For example, a product page might be accessible through:
example .com/shoes?color=redexample .com/shoes?color=blueexample .com/shoes
Without a canonical tag, search engines may treat them as separate pages, causing duplicate content issues. Adding:
<link rel="canonical" href="https://example .com/shoes" />
tells search engines that “/shoes” is the preferred URL. This consolidates SEO value and ensures the main page ranks instead of splitting authority across duplicates.
FAQs on Canonical Tag in SEO
Q1. Is a canonical tag the same as a redirect?
No. A canonical tag suggests the preferred version to search engines, while a redirect physically sends users and crawlers to a new URL.
Q2. Can I have multiple canonical tags on one page?
No. Each page should only have one canonical tag to avoid conflicting signals.
Q3. Do canonical tags improve rankings?
Indirectly. They don’t boost rankings but prevent dilution of SEO value across duplicate pages.