What is a Canonical URL?

A canonical URL refers to the preferred version of a webpage that search engines should index when your website has multiple pages with similar or duplicate content. This tells search engines which version of the page is the “master” or original. It helps consolidate ranking signals and avoid SEO issues caused by duplicate content.

When you use a canonical URL, it improves search engine optimization (SEO) by preventing dilution of page authority across duplicate pages. It ensures that all link equity, indexing, and ranking benefits are directed to the correct version of a webpage. Canonical tags are invaluable in e-commerce sites and content management systems.