Best Practices for Setting the Magento 2 Custom Canonical Tag

• Why Do You Need to Add Canonical Tags in Magento 2?

• Performance Impact of Custom Magento 2 Canonical Tags on SEO

• Advanced Benefits of Adding Canonical URLs to Your Magento 2 Store

• Custom Configurations for Magento 2 Set Canonical URL

• How to Use Canonical Link Meta Tags for Product URLs in Magento 2?

• Best Practices for Adding Canonical URLs in Magento 2 Custom Pages and CMS Pages

• 3 Approaches to Adding the Canonical Meta Tag Using the Magento 2 SEO Extension Suite

• FAQs

• Summary

Why Do You Need to Add Canonical Tags in Magento 2?

Search engines may get confused when they find identical content across multiple URLs. It can be bad for SEO. In some cases, it can lead to lower-priority pages being ranked higher while the more valuable pages are buried under others.

Ecommerce sites often generate different URLs for the same web pages due to factors such as:

• Filtering
• Sorting

In such cases, adding canonical tags can help admins avoid duplicate content issues. They can also prevent potential penalties from search engines.

Consider these example URLs:

• https://example.com/men/tshirts.html
• https://example.com/men/tshirts.html?product_list_order=price
• https://example.com/men/tshirts.html?product_list_order=name

Although these three URLs refer to the same category page, search engines treat them as distinct. This is because they are appended with different parameters.

Filtering & sorting options on Magento category pages add extra parameters to the URLs. To address this, you need to inform search engines that these parameterized URLs are duplicates of the original category page. This is where self-referential canonical tags become vital.

Performance Impact of Custom Magento 2 Canonical Tags on SEO

Impact Area	Description	SEO Benefit
Crawl Efficiency	Directs search engines to focus on primary content, reducing time spent on duplicate pages.	Faster indexing rates and improved crawl budget allocation
Ranking Power	Consolidates SEO signals from duplicate pages into one authoritative URL	Stronger overall page authority and better SERP positions
Duplicate Content Management	Prevents search engines from indexing multiple versions of the same content	Avoids potential penalties and maintains ranking strength
Multi-Store Optimization	Provides clear signals for multi-language or multi-domain stores	Better global SEO performance and consistent cross-domain ranking
Server Performance	Reduces redundant page requests and optimizes bandwidth usage	Improved site speed and better user experience metrics
Mobile Optimization	Aligns with responsive design strategies for consistent content delivery	Enhanced mobile search rankings and user engagement
PageRank Distribution	Consolidates link equity from duplicate pages to the canonical version	Maximized ranking potential for preferred URLs
Category Page Management	Controls indexing of filtered and sorted product listings	Prevents dilution of ranking power across similar pages
Cross-Domain Authority	Manages content syndication and multi-store setups in Magento 2 effectively	Proper attribution of original content and maintained ranking signals
Crawl Budget Optimization	Helps search engines prioritize important pages	More efficient resource allocation for search engine crawlers

Advanced Benefits of Adding Canonical URLs to Your Magento 2 Store

1. Enhanced Search Engine Recognition

i. Improved Crawl Efficiency

When you add canonical URLs in Magento 2, your store's crawl budget increases. Search engines spend less time on duplicate pages, leading to faster indexing rates.

ii. Consolidated Ranking Power

A category URL accumulates page rank from duplicate pages into one authoritative source. This focused SEO strategy enhances the authority and visibility of your primary pages.

2. Advanced SEO Performance

i. Duplicate Content Protection

Multiple URLs point to identical content, especially with filtered category pages. Custom canonical tags prevent search engines from getting confused by these variations.

ii. Better Resource Distribution

When you implement canonical tags properly, search engines allocate their resources more efficiently. It leads to:

• Reduced server bandwidth consumption
• Improved crawl budget allocation
• Faster page indexing
• Clear content hierarchy signals

3. Strategic Content Management

i. Original Content Promotion

A product canonical url ensures your original content gets the recognition it deserves. Search engines know which version to rank. It eliminates confusion across product, category, & CMS pages in Magento 2.

ii. Multi-Store Optimization

For stores with multiple views/domains, Magento 2 product attributes provide clear signals about content relationships. It is especially vital when managing:

• Product variations
• Category filters
• Multi-language content
• Cross-domain content

4. Technical Advantages

i. Server Performance Benefits

A proper canonical url in Magento 2 reduces redundant page requests and server load. Your Magento 2 store operates more efficiently with clear content hierarchies.

ii. Mobile Optimization

Linking meta tags for categories improves mobile performance. Aligning responsive design strategies enhances the overall user experience. It also ensures consistent content delivery across devices.

Custom Configurations for Magento 2 Set Canonical URL

Configuration Area	Advanced Settings	Implementation Details	Troubleshooting Steps
Product Pages	Custom URL Override	Set through product edit sheet with category tree options.	Check template files for proper tag implementation.
Category Setup	Primary Category Selection	Configure through the Search Engine Optimization tab.	Verify category hierarchy in the admin panel.
CMS Integration	Custom Layout XML	Use the cms_page_view_selectable format.	Validate XML file placement in the theme directory.
Cross-domain	Store View Level Settings	Configure at storefront or store view level.	Ensure proper domain verification.
URL Structure	Trailing Slash Management	Enable/disable through extension settings.	Check URL format consistency.
Pagination Control	Dynamic Tag Generation	Configure for Magento-filtered navigation pages.	Verify pagination canonical logic.
Multi-store Setup	Store-Specific Rules	Set unique configurations per store view.	Confirm store-level hierarchy.
Mobile Optimization	Responsive Design Integration	Configure mobile-specific canonical tags.	Test across different devices.
Cache Management	Tag Caching Rules	Implement through cache configuration.	Clear cache after major changes.
Extension Integration	Module Compatibility	Follow Magento 2 module guidelines.	Check for extension conflicts.
Security Protocol	HTTPS implementation	Enforce secure canonical URLs.	Validate SSL certificates.
Performance	Resource Optimization	Configure tag generation timing.	Monitor server response times.
Content Validation	Automated Checking	Set up regular canonical tag audits.	Use SEO tools for verification.
Error Prevention	Tag Validation Rules	Implement pre-deployment checks.	Monitor crawler behavior.

How to Use Canonical Link Meta Tags for Product URLs in Magento 2?

1. Add Canonical Tags to Product Pages

You can add a canonical tag to individual product pages through the product edit screen. The available options include:

• Custom URL
• Use Config (default canonical tag for all products set in configuration options)
• Canonical URL with Category Tree
• Canonical URL without Category Tree

To configure the canonical tag for a product, follow the steps below:

i. Go to the product page in the Magento 2 admin panel. ii. Expand the 'Search Engine Optimization' section.

2. Add Canonical Tags to CMS Pages

To add a canonical URL to a CMS page:

i. Navigate to Content > Pages in the admin panel. ii. Click 'Edit' on the desired page and expand the 'Search Engine Optimization' section. iii. Enter a custom URL to override the default canonical URL.

This method also allows you to add a canonical tag to your homepage.

3. Add Canonical Tags to Category Pages

To configure a canonical tag for a category page:

i. Go to Catalog > Categories in the admin panel. ii. Select the category you want to edit and open the 'Search Engine Optimization' tab. iii. Enter your desired custom URL to override the default canonical URL.

4. Configure Cross-Domain Canonical Tags

The canonical url extension allows you to configure canonical meta tags for:

• Storefronts
• Store views
• Custom URLs

This feature is helpful for cross-domain SEO.

5. Exclude Specific Pages from Canonical Tag Application

You can choose to exclude specific product or category pages from having canonical tags applied. It gives you more control over your site’s SEO.

6. Add Canonical Tags for Pagination and Category Filters

The CMS page identifier allows you to add canonical tags to pagination pages. You can also configure the relationship between layered navigation pages & products/category pages.

Options include:

• Disable or Enable canonical meta tags on catalog pagination pages.

• Allow or Disallow canonical meta tags on catalog layered navigation, including:

  • Filtered category pages
  • Current category pages

7. Add Trailing Slashes to Canonical URLs

You can enable the addition of trailing slashes to canonical meta tags in Magento. It allows you to enhance your site’s SEO and make URLs more search-engine-friendly. This feature ensures consistency in your URLs, making your website user-friendly.

Best Practices for Adding Canonical URLs in Magento 2 Custom Pages and CMS Pages

Area	Best Practice	Implementation Details	SEO Impact
CMS Page Setup	Configure canonical URLs through CMS page settings in the admin panel.	Use XML layout updates with proper page identifiers.	Prevents duplicate content across CMS pages
Custom Page Types	Implement through custom layout XML updates.	Add canonical meta tags in the head section of custom pages.	Maintains content hierarchy for unique pages
URL Structure	Maintain consistent URL patterns for similar content.	Use store configuration for base URL settings.	Improves crawl efficiency
Content Validation	Conduct regular audits of canonical implementation.	Check through the browser inspector or SEO tools.	Ensures proper indexing
Multi-Store Views	Configure store-specific canonical tags.	Set up through store view configuration.	Manages content across stores
Dynamic Pages	Implement dynamic canonical generation.	Use proper PHP classes for dynamic URL handling.	Controls duplicate dynamic content
Template Files	Modify template files for custom pages.	Add canonical meta tags in the page head block.	Ensures consistent implementation
Error Prevention	Validate canonical URLs before implementation.	Test through development environment.	Prevents incorrect canonicalization
Module Integration	Set up proper integration with custom modules.	Follow Magento 2 module development guidelines.	Maintains code integrity
Performance	Optimize canonical tag implementation.	Cache canonical URLs when possible.	Reduces server load
Mobile Optimization	Ensure mobile-specific canonical tags.	Configure responsive design patterns.	Improves mobile SEO
Security	Implement secure canonical URLs.	Use HTTPS for all canonical references.	Maintains security standards
Content Monitoring	Regular content duplication checks.	Use SEO tools for content analysis.	Prevents SEO issues
Version Control	Track canonical changes.	Document all canonical implementations.	Maintains implementation history

3 Approaches to Adding the Canonical Meta Tag Using the Magento 2 SEO Extension Suite

Approach 1: Product Pages

Product page URLs often have multiple variations. You can configure the canonical tag for product pages using one of the following options:

• Short URL path: The simplest URL, such as https://yoursite.com/.
• Long URL path: The full URL that includes the category structure.

Approach 2: Category Pages

For category pages, you can use specific tags like rel=next and rel=prev for pagination purposes. These tags ensure that search engines group pages like page-1.html, page-2.html, and so on. They do this under the same sequence rather than treating them as separate entities.

Approach 3: Homepage

You can assign a custom Magento canonical URL to the homepage. To do so, you can specify a different URL for the homepage's canonical tag. The feature gives you the option to set it from the admin panel.

FAQs

1. How do I implement canonical tags on Magento 2 default pages?

Navigate to the default About Us page. Use the appropriate canonical tag to select the preferred URL. Ensure the tag is correctly marked, and then start adding canonical configurations.

2. Can I customize canonical URLs on Magento 2 product pages?

Select the chosen canonical URL manually & configure it through custom layout update options. Then, choose the preferred product URL to modify settings in the Magento 2 admin panel.

3. Can Google penalize my domain for duplicate content in Magento 2?

Yes, Google may penalize your domain for duplicate content. If the same content is found on multiple URLs, search engines may treat it as spam. Implementing canonical tags helps direct search engines to the original content, preventing penalties.

4. How does a site like Magento 2 benefit from canonical tags?

A Magento 2 site benefits from canonical tags by reducing the risk of duplicate content. Multiple variations of product or category pages can confuse search engines. Canonical tags help direct crawlers to the preferred version of a page, improving SEO.

5. What is the appropriate use of the canonical tag in Magento 2?

The canonical tag is appropriate for specifying the preferred version of a page. It allows you to handle the high variation in URLs used for filtering or sorting. It also helps search engines index the correct page.

6. How do I instruct crawlers to prioritize a specific URL in Magento 2?

To manage your URL structure, go to the folder in the Magento directory. Use canonical tags to instruct the crawlers which link should be the original. For custom pages, apply a custom layout update and choose the appropriate URL. It helps search engines index the preferred content.

Summary

A Magento 2 custom canonical tag is a powerful SEO tool that helps resolve duplicate content challenges. This extension allows website owners to:

• Ensure better search engine visibility by preventing penalties for duplicate content.
• Improve the SEO performance of Magento stores.
• Manage duplicate content and guide search engines in indexing the most relevant URLs.
• Ensure that their website's SEO performance remains optimized by preventing potential ranking dilution.
• Enhance search engine ranking.
• Simplify SEO management by addressing duplicate content issues.

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