How to Fix the "Alternate page with proper canonical tag" Issue
Introduction to the "Alternate page with proper canonical tag" Issue
The "Alternate page with proper canonical tag" issue is a common problem that appears in Google Search Console. It indicates that there are multiple pages with similar content but different canonical tags. This issue can lead to reduced SEO effectiveness for your website, as the pages compete for the same keywords and decrease the chances of your site appearing in search results.
Understanding the Function of the Canonical Tag
The canonical tag is an HTML tag used to specify the preferred version of a webpage. This tag helps search engines avoid duplicate content issues and improves the indexing of pages. When you add a canonical tag to a page, you tell search engines that this page is the primary version that should be indexed and displayed in search results.
How to Check for the Canonical Tag on Your Website
To check for the presence of the canonical tag on your website, follow these steps:
- Check the Source Code: Open the page you want to check, right-click, and select "View Page Source." Look for the tag
<link rel="canonical" href="URL">. - Use External Analysis Tools: There are many free tools available online that you can use to scan your website's pages and check for the canonical tag.
Adding the Canonical Tag to Your Pages
If you want to add the canonical tag to your pages, follow these steps:
- Edit the Source Code: Open the source code files for the page and add the tag
<link rel="canonical" href="URL">in the<head>section of the page. - Use Your Website's Control Panel: If you are using a Content Management System (CMS) like WordPress, you can log in to the control panel and modify the canonical settings for the page.
Resubmitting Pages for Google Indexing
After adding the canonical tag, you need to resubmit the pages for Google indexing. You can do this through Google Search Console by following these steps:
- Open Google Search Console and select your website.
- Go to the "URL Inspection" section and enter the URL of the page you want to resubmit.
- Click on "Request Indexing."
Tips to Avoid the Issue in the Future
To avoid the "Alternate page with proper canonical tag" issue in the future, follow these tips:
- Regularly Check the Source Code: Periodically inspect the source code of your website's pages to ensure that the canonical tag is present correctly.
- Use Automated Monitoring Tools: You can use website monitoring tools to regularly check the indexing status.
Conclusion
The "Alternate page with proper canonical tag" issue can be a significant problem if not handled correctly. By following the steps outlined above, you can fix this issue and ensure that your website's pages are indexed properly. Always remember to check the indexing status of your website to ensure it appears well in search results.
Learn More
How to Fix the Excluded by ‘noindex’ tag Error in Google Search Console
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the canonical tag and why is it important?
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The canonical tag is an HTML element that helps prevent duplicate content issues by specifying the preferred version of a webpage. It is important because it helps search engines understand which version of a page to index, avoiding duplicate content penalties.
How can I identify pages with canonical tag issues?
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You can identify pages with canonical tag issues by using tools like Google Search Console, Screaming Frog, or Ahrefs to check for multiple canonical tags, incorrect canonical tags, or missing canonical tags.
How do I fix canonical tag issues?
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To fix canonical tag issues, ensure that each page has a unique canonical tag that points to the preferred version of the page. Remove any duplicate or incorrect canonical tags and ensure that the canonical tag is present in the HTML head of the page.
What are the steps to add a canonical tag to a page?
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To add a canonical tag to a page, access the HTML code of the page, and insert the canonical tag in the head section. The tag should look like this: .
How can I verify that the canonical tag is correctly implemented?
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Verify that the canonical tag is correctly implemented by inspecting the page's HTML code and ensuring the canonical tag is present and points to the correct URL. You can also use tools like Google Search Console's 'URL Inspection' tool to check the page's status.
What should I do if I have multiple versions of the same page?
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If you have multiple versions of the same page, use the canonical tag to specify the preferred version. Ensure that all other versions of the page have the canonical tag pointing to the preferred version.