What is Canonicalization In SEO?
Canonicalization in SEO refers to the process of defining the preferred or canonical version of a webpage when multiple versions of that page exist. The goal is to consolidate signals and ranking equity (such as backlinks and authority) to a single, canonical version, thereby avoiding issues related to duplicate content and ensuring that search engines understand the primary and preferred URL for a given piece of content.
Imagine a scenario where you have two web pages with identical content, like two roads leading to the same park. Search engines, like savvy travelers, want to avoid confusion and ensure that users are directed to the most appropriate page. This is where canonicalization comes into play. It helps search engines understand which page is the “canonical” version, the primary destination, and which pages are mere duplicates. By establishing a canonical URL, you’re essentially saying, “Hey, search engines, this is the official, preferred version of this content. Please direct users here.” This helps avoid duplicate content issues, which can confuse search engines and potentially harm your website’s ranking.
What is Canonicalization in SEO?
Canonicalization is the process of converting data into a standard or canonical form. It helps assure consistency and concord across different systems and platforms. It’s like giving data a makeover to make it look and conduct the same way throughout.
Table of Content
- What is Canonicalization In SEO?
- What is a Canonical Tag
- What Is Canonical URL
- Why Canonicalization Matters?
- Canonicalization VS Redirects
- Canonicalization vs Pagination
- Reasons to use Canonicals
- How to Specify Canonical Pages?
- How to audit your canonical tags for SEO?