Canonical URL is the preferred URL for a web page when there are multiple URLs that lead to the same content. Using a canonical URL helps prevent duplicate content issues in SEO.
A canonical URL indicates the preferred version of a webpage when multiple URLs have similar or identical content. For example, a product page may exist at both example.com/product
and example.com/product?ref=123
. Setting example.com/product
as the canonical URL helps search engines consolidate ranking signals and avoid duplicate content penalties.
Using canonical tags in the HTML header ensures search engines understand which URL to prioritize. This practice enhances SEO by streamlining indexing and preserving link equity. Regularly auditing canonical tags ensures accuracy, especially during site updates or content syndication, maintaining a clear and consistent URL structure.