Canonical URL Checker
Validate canonical tags and identify SEO issues
Check Canonical
The actual URL of your page
The URL in your canonical tag
Analysis Results
Canonical Tag
<link rel="canonical" href="https://example.com/page" />
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What is a Canonical URL?
A canonical URL tells search engines which version of a page is the "master" copy when duplicate or similar content exists at multiple URLs. This prevents duplicate content penalties and consolidates ranking signals.
This checker validates your canonical tag setup and identifies common issues like protocol mismatches, trailing slash inconsistencies, and fragment usage.
When to Use Canonicals
- URL parameters: ?utm_source=, ?sort=, ?page=
- Session IDs: URLs with tracking tokens
- WWW vs non-WWW: Inconsistent domain versions
- HTTP vs HTTPS: Protocol variations
- Trailing slashes: /page vs /page/
Best Practices
- Self-referencing: Every page should have a canonical, even to itself.
- Absolute URLs: Always use full URLs, not relative.
- Consistency: Use the same URL format across your site.
- One per page: Only one canonical tag per page.
FAQ
Is canonical a directive or a hint?
It's a hint. Search engines may ignore it if other signals contradict.
Can I canonicalize to a different domain?
Yes, for cross-domain syndicated content, but use carefully.