In terms of SEO, one tag that you absolutely need to understand is the rel=canonical tag. This handy little piece of code helps indicate to search engines which version of a webpage you want to prioritize in their indices, especially when you have duplicate or similar content. However, many webmasters and SEO enthusiasts make mistakes with canonical tags. This article will focus on the five common mistakes of using rel=canonical and offer the expert's take on implementing the canonical tags the right way. What is a rel=canonical Tag? So before we dive into the snafus, let's quickly run over what a rel=canonical tag is and why it matters. A rel=canonical tag is an HTML element that helps avoid duplicate content issues by pointing search engines to the preferred version of a webpage. It is a friendly way to introduce search engines to your favorite version of content—the one you want to rank. For example, if you have multiple URLs pointing to the same article or product, the canonical tag tells the search engine, "Hey, this is the original source of the content! Focus on this one. Alright, having got that out of the way, now let's talk about the most common mistakes when using canonical rel-tag and how to avoid them! Failure to Add Canonical Tag The Error: One of the most common mistakes is not adding a canonical tag to pages that require it. Without this, search engines may have a hard time determining which version of your content should be indexed, and it may lead to confusion and potential ranking issues. How to Avoid It: Add a canonical tag in the header of each page where it is appropriate - especially in multiple URLs which would lead to the same content. Most of the time, this is going to happen automatically in your CMS based on the rules applied across content types or categories. Remember, if there is any possibility of duplicate content, a canonical tag should be in place to state your preference! Expert Tip: Always verify the origin of the source pages of your website to make sure that this canonical tag gets attached to your...
