SEO
Canonical URL
The "official" version of a page when you have similar content at multiple URLs.
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The Tradie Take
It's like having your business address listed as 12 Smith St, 12 Smith Street, and 12 Smith Street, Surry Hills. The post office doesn't know which is the real you and might send your mail to all three. A canonical URL is you telling the post office "use this one address for everything."
Definition
A canonical URL tells Google which version of a page is the original or preferred one when you have the same or similar content accessible at different web addresses. This prevents Google from seeing duplicate content and splitting your ranking power across multiple URLs instead of concentrating it on one.
How It Works
- 1 If your page loads at both www.example.com/services and example.com/services, Google sees two pages
- 2 A canonical tag tells Google "this is the real version, ignore the others"
- 3 Without it, Google might split your SEO value across multiple URLs or pick the wrong one
Tips for Tradies
- If you have www and non-www versions of your site, pick one and redirect the other
- Use canonical tags on syndicated content (articles republished from other sites)
- Most website platforms handle this automatically - check yours is set up right