Duplicate content can be a real problem for website operators. It not only affects the ranking of your website in search engine results, but can also lead to confusion among users. This is where the canonical tag comes into play. This powerful but often overlooked helper is crucial for an effective SEO strategy. In this article, you will learn what the canonical tag is, how to use it correctly and why it is so important for your website.
What is the canonical tag? #
The canonical tag is an element in the HTML code of a website that tells search engines which version of a page is the “main” or “canonical” version. This is used to avoid problems with duplicate content by showing search engines which URL should be indexed preferentially if there are several similar or identical contents.
Examples for the use of the canonical tag #
- Multiple URLs that lead to the same content (e.g. through URL parameters)
- Product pages that are accessible via several categories
- Print versions of websites that have the same content as the original website
How do you use the canonical tag correctly? #
- Determine the canonical URL: Select the URL version of your page that should serve as the main reference.
- Insert the canonical tag: Place the tag in the
<head>
area of the HTML pages that are to refer to the canonical URL. The day looks like this:<link rel="canonical" href="http://www.beispiel.de/deine-seite/">
. - Consistency is important: Make sure that the canonical URL is identical everywhere it is used.
- Check the implementation: Use tools such as Google Search Console to ensure that the tag has been implemented correctly and is working.
Why is the canonical tag so important? #
- Improves ranking: By avoiding duplicate content, the canonical tag can help to improve the ranking of your website.
- Saves crawl budget: Search engines waste fewer resources on crawling duplicates.
- Provides a better user experience: Avoiding confusion about which URL is the “right” one improves the user experience.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ) #
Q: Can the canonical tag be used across different domains?
A: Yes, the canonical tag can be used across different domains to indicate the preferred URL.
Q: Does the canonical tag influence link popularity?
A: Yes, links pointing to non-canonical URLs are often treated as if they point to the canonical URL, which improves the link popularity of the canonical page.
Q: What happens if I don’t use a canonical tag?
A: Without the canonical tag, you risk search engines deciding for themselves which version of your content is the most relevant, which can lead to unfavorable SEO results.
Summary #
The canonical tag is an indispensable tool in your SEO arsenal. By using it correctly, you can effectively avoid duplicate content, improve your search engine ranking and provide a better user experience on your website. Don’t forget to regularly check and adjust its implementation to ensure that your website performs optimally.
Sources:
[1] https://www.seo-kueche.de/lexikon/canonical-tag/
[2] https://www.om-strategen.de/glossar/canonical-tag/
[3] https://www.conductor.com/de/academy/glossar/canonical-tag/
[4] https://www.luna-park.de/blog/38003-canonicals/
[5] https://www.xovi.de/seokompass/onpage/canonical-tag/
[6] https://de.ryte.com/wiki/Canonical_Tag
[7] https://www.seonative.de/canonical-tag/
[8] https://www.evergreenmedia.at/glossar/canonical-tag/