🔗 Canonical Tag Generator
Generate canonical tags for SEO - Prevent duplicate content issues
What is a Canonical Tag?
A canonical tag is an HTML element that tells search engines which version of a URL is the master or preferred version. It's used to prevent duplicate content issues when the same or very similar content appears on multiple URLs.
The canonical tag uses the rel="canonical" attribute in a link element placed in the HTML head section. It helps consolidate link signals and improve SEO rankings.
How to Use Canonical Tags
- Enter URL: Type the preferred canonical URL for your page
- Generate Tag: Click "Generate Canonical Tag" to create the HTML code
- Copy Code: Click "Copy Tag" to copy the generated code
- Add to HTML: Paste the tag in the <head> section of your HTML
- Verify: Use Google Search Console to verify implementation
When to Use Canonical Tags
Example 1: E-commerce Product Pages
Product available in multiple colors with separate URLs.
- URLs: /product?color=red, /product?color=blue, /product?color=green
- Canonical: https://example.com/product
- Result: All variations point to main product page, avoiding duplicate content
Example 2: Blog Pagination
Blog post accessible via multiple URLs.
- URLs: /blog/post, /blog/post?page=1, /blog/post?utm_source=twitter
- Canonical: https://example.com/blog/post
- Result: Search engines index only the main URL
Example 3: HTTP vs HTTPS
Site accessible via both protocols.
- URLs: http://example.com/page, https://example.com/page
- Canonical: https://example.com/page
- Result: HTTPS version is preferred in search results
Canonical Tag Technical Details
HTML Syntax
<link rel="canonical" href="https://example.com/page" />Best Practices
- Absolute URLs: Always use complete URLs with protocol (https://)
- Self-Referencing: Pages can canonicalize to themselves
- Consistent: Use same canonical URL across all duplicate pages
- Accessible: Canonical URL must be indexable (not blocked by robots.txt)
- Single Tag: Use only one canonical tag per page
Common Use Cases
- URL parameters (sorting, filtering, tracking)
- Session IDs in URLs
- Printer-friendly versions
- Mobile vs desktop URLs
- WWW vs non-WWW versions
- HTTP vs HTTPS
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a canonical URL?
A: A canonical URL is the preferred version of a web page when multiple URLs have similar or duplicate content. It tells search engines which URL to index and rank.
Q: Do I need canonical tags on every page?
A: It's recommended to add self-referencing canonical tags on all pages as a best practice, even if there are no duplicates. This prevents future issues.
Q: Can canonical tags hurt SEO?
A: Incorrect canonical tags can hurt SEO by pointing to wrong URLs. Always verify the canonical URL is correct and accessible.
Q: Where do I place the canonical tag?
A: Place the canonical tag in the <head> section of your HTML, preferably near the top with other meta tags.
Q: Do canonical tags pass PageRank?
A: Yes, canonical tags pass most link equity (PageRank) to the canonical URL, similar to 301 redirects.
Q: Can I use relative URLs in canonical tags?
A: While relative URLs work, absolute URLs (with full domain) are strongly recommended to avoid confusion.
Q: How long does it take for Google to recognize canonical tags?
A: It can take days to weeks for Google to process canonical tags, depending on crawl frequency and site authority.
Q: Can I canonical to a different domain?
A: Yes, cross-domain canonicals are supported but use them carefully. They're useful for syndicated content.
Q: What's the difference between canonical tags and 301 redirects?
A: 301 redirects physically move users to another URL, while canonical tags are hints for search engines without affecting user experience.
Q: Do canonical tags work on mobile sites?
A: Yes, canonical tags work on all devices. For separate mobile URLs, use canonical tags to point to desktop versions or vice versa.
Q: Can I have multiple canonical tags?
A: No, use only one canonical tag per page. Multiple tags will confuse search engines.
Q: How do I verify my canonical tags?
A: Use Google Search Console's URL Inspection tool or view page source to check if canonical tags are properly implemented.