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What is Canonical URL?

Canonical URL is the preferred URL for a page when multiple URLs have the same or very similar content. Canonical URL selection helps search engines consolidate signals and avoid indexing duplicates.

Quick definition

Canonical URL is the main version of a page’s URL when duplicates exist.

How Canonical URL works

  • Canonical URL rules specify which URL should represent a set of duplicates.
  • Canonical URL selection can be based on content similarity, parameters, and site structure.
  • Canonical URL consistency improves when internal linking points to the preferred URL.
  • Canonical URL choices influence what gets indexed and cited.

Why Canonical URL matters

Canonical URL matters because duplicates can split signals and confuse indexing.

Canonical URL also matters for citation in AI answers because citations are easier to consolidate when a single URL is treated as primary.

Example use cases

  • Choosing one URL as canonical for pages accessible via multiple query parameters.
  • Updating internal links so links point to the canonical URL.
  • Avoiding duplicate glossary pages by standardizing slugs.

Related terms