How to implement and use hreflang
How to use rel="canonical" tag for SEO
Webmasters usually use 301 redirect as a method of solving the problem of duplicated content. However, this tool isn't always suitable for the following reasons:
- a time-consuming process of the realization;
- pages are regularly used by visitors.
How rel="canonical" works?
If there are identical or extremely similar pieces of the content on your site which are under different URLs, the canonical tag will help you to mark the master page to be shown to search engines and users. Doing so, you help the search robots to understand which pages are to be ranked and which ones are considered additional.
Therefore, all the additional pages' characteristics are directed to the canonical page, e.g. links, visitors' behavior.

Advantages of the rel canonical for SEO
Making the content noticeable for users provides raising visits and positively influences the site's conversion. Canonical URL can also refer to another domain if the content on these pages is the same. Canonical URL can also refer to another domain if the content on these pages is the same.

How to set rel="canonical"
On the site's page (HTML-code)
<link rel="canonical" href="http://your-website.com/canonical-page.html"/>
XML-site map
Server's response
Link: <http://your-website.com/main-file.pdf>; rel="canonical"
How to use rel="canonical"
Canonical is needed when different people look for the same goods using different search methods. For example, Person 1 is looking for a new pair of shoes by choosing the needed brand or model. At the same time, Person 2 can find the same shoes via setting a particular price or using the rating. Both of them enter pages with the same content, but, actually, their URLs are different.
To solve it, just choose one main page and refer all the other ones to it by tagging them with the canonical attribute.
<link rel="canonical" href="http://online-shop.com/tables.html"/>
This situation is also about online-shops. When you have a particular number of the same goods differing only by a color. It is better to choose one of them as the canonical and bind other ones to it.
If there is a loyalty system on your site which includes bonuses, discounts, and special offers for frequent customers. Create links with rel="canonical" on pages for special clients and direct them to the standard ones.
Pagination creates duplicate content. If there is a «View all» page on your site, refer all the connected URLs to it.
If you use the UTM to monitor the efficiency of your advertisement campaign then you need to remove doubles. Place the canonical link pointing at the basic page on the page which has the UTM.
How to choose a canonical page
- page traffic;
- number of the internal/external links.
How to adjust the rel="canonical" tag properly
Wrong: <link rel="canonical" href="shop.com/tables.html" />
Correct: <link rel="canonical" href="http://shop.com/tables.html" />
Conclusion
There are several methods of how to adjust the canonical reference. Choose the most suitable and appropriate for you one and pay attention to details in order to use the tag properly.
You may also like our partners' article:
Canonical Tags and Duplicate Content | The basics explained
This article is a part of Serpstat's Checklist tool

Try Checklist now |
Learn how to get the most out of Serpstat
Want to get a personal demo, trial period or bunch of successful use cases?
Send a request and our expert will contact you ;)
Recommended posts
Cases, lifehacks, researches and useful articles
Don’t you have time to follow the news? No worries!
Our editor Stacy will choose articles that will definitely help you with your work. Join our cozy community :)
By clicking the button, you agree to our privacy policy.
Comments