Canonical URL Checker
Enter any URL to instantly check its canonical tag. Find out if the page is pointing to itself, another URL, or missing a canonical entirely.
Check Canonical Tag
Understanding Canonical Tags
What canonical tags mean and when to use them
Self-Referencing Canonical
The canonical points to the page itself. This is the standard setup for unique pages and signals to Google that this is the primary version.
Canonical to Another URL
The page defers authority to a different URL. Common for paginated content, filtered URLs, or content syndication to avoid duplicate content penalties.
Missing Canonical
No canonical tag is present. Google will attempt to identify the canonical version itself, which may not always choose correctly. Adding a canonical is best practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a canonical tag?
A canonical tag (<link rel="canonical" href="...">) is an HTML element that tells search engines which version of a page is the "master" copy, preventing duplicate content issues when the same content is accessible at multiple URLs.
When should I use a canonical tag?
Use canonical tags when: the same content is accessible at multiple URLs (www vs non-www, HTTP vs HTTPS, trailing slash vs no slash), for paginated content, for filtered/sorted product listings, or when content is syndicated to other sites.
Does a missing canonical tag hurt my SEO?
Not always. Google is good at identifying canonical pages without explicit tags. However, adding a self-referencing canonical is a best practice that eliminates any ambiguity and helps Google consolidate ranking signals to your preferred URL.
What's the difference between canonical and 301 redirect?
A 301 redirect physically redirects users and crawlers to the new URL. A canonical tag is a "hint" that allows the duplicate URL to remain accessible while consolidating ranking signals. Use 301 redirects when the old URL should no longer be accessible; use canonical tags when both URLs need to remain live.
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