Canonical Tags: How to Use Them Correctly
The most misused tag in technical SEO, and how to get it right.
Technical SEO
What it signals
A canonical tag tells search engines which version of similar content is the preferred one to index. It consolidates authority from duplicates onto a single URL. It is a hint, not a directive, and Google can ignore it.
Correct usage
Self-referencing canonicals on every page as a baseline. Point parameter URLs to the clean version. Point printer-friendly and AMP versions to the main page. Point syndicated content to the original.
Common errors
Canonicalising every page to the homepage, which effectively removes your site from search. Canonical chains where A points to B points to C. Canonicals pointing to redirected or noindexed URLs. Conflicting signals between canonical, sitemap, and internal links.
Key takeaways
- Canonicals consolidate authority but are hints, not directives
- Self-referencing canonicals on every page as a baseline
- Never canonicalise everything to the homepage
- Avoid chains and conflicting signals across sitemap and links
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