SEO · Website glossary

Canonical URL

Quick answer · What is Canonical URL?

The preferred representative URL selected or indicated for a set of duplicate or closely similar pages.

IN PRACTICE

Canonical URL: an example

A product available through several tracking URLs points to its clean preferred URL as a canonical hint.

KEEP IN MIND

A declared canonical is a signal, not an absolute command; conflicting links and other signals can matter.

Put the idea to work

Frequently asked questions

What is a practical example of Canonical URL?

A product available through several tracking URLs points to its clean preferred URL as a canonical hint.

Is a declared canonical an absolute instruction?

A declared canonical is a signal, not an absolute command; conflicting links and other signals can matter.

Which concepts should I read alongside Canonical URL?

Duplicate content: Content that is identical or substantially similar at more than one URL.
Redirect: A response or mechanism that sends a user agent from one URL to another.