Let’s talk about canonical tags in WordPress – a topic that often trips up even seasoned developers.

I’ve seen it firsthand; countless websites struggling with duplicate content issues all because of a few simple avoidable mistakes.

So grab a coffee settle in and let’s dive into seven common pitfalls to sidestep when using canonical tags.

7 Mistakes to Avoid When Using Canonical Tags on Your WordPress Website

Table of Contents

1. The Single Canonical Tag Rule: One and Only One

You might think “More is better” right? Wrong! Each page should boast only one canonical tag. Think of it like this: you’re telling the search engine “This is the one true version of this page; ignore the others.” Having multiple canonical tags on a single page is like giving contradictory instructions to a search engine bot – pure confusion! They’re left scratching their heads (or their digital equivalent) unable to determine which version to prioritize. The result? Your SEO suffers and you’re left wondering why your carefully crafted pages are being ignored.

Now let’s say you have five almost identical product pages each varying slightly in image resolution.

You can absolutely use the same canonical tag across those five pages pointing them all to your preferred main product page.

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The key is consistency: every duplicate page directs search engines towards that single master page.

That’s the power of canonical tags.

Forget the notion of multiple tags on a single page; it’s a recipe for SEO disaster.

2. Canonical Tags vs. Redirects: Choose Your Weapon

Canonical tags and redirects both combat duplicate content.

However they’re different tools.

Redirects (301 or 302) literally move visitors and search engines to a new URL.

Canonical tags on the other hand guide search engines but don’t shift website visitors.

Using both simultaneously is redundant and potentially harmful.

Imagine telling a search engine “This is the main page… oh and by the way I’ve also redirected the traffic elsewhere.” This mixed message can lead to ranking inconsistencies or worse a complete failure to index the correct page.

It’s a bit like giving conflicting directions on a map; the traveller ends up utterly lost.

Pick one stick with it and streamline your SEO.

3. HTTPS is King (Or Queen If You Prefer)

This is a simple one but it’s shocking how often it’s overlooked.

If your website uses HTTPS (and it absolutely should!) your canonical URLs must also use HTTPS.

Using HTTP in your canonical tag while your site is predominantly HTTPS is like sending a postcard instead of an email; it’s slower and less reliable.

Search engines heavily prioritize secure connections so inconsistencies here can harm your ranking.

It’s a small detail but this seemingly tiny error can impact your search engine rankings.

Ensure consistency between your website’s protocol and the canonical URLs.

4. Head Section Only: No Canonical Tag Hide-and-Seek

Think of the <head> section of your HTML as the control center of your page – this is where canonical tags belong.

Tucking them away in the <body> section is a recipe for disaster; search engines simply ignore them.

It’s like whispering your instructions instead of shouting them; your message is lost in the noise.

So remember the <head> section is your SEO’s command center; it’s where search engine bots look for directives including canonical tags.

Placing canonical tags anywhere else is ineffective.

5. Don’t Block Crawling: Let the Bots Do Their Job

Canonical tags are all about guiding search engines but that doesn’t mean you should block them from crawling pages with these tags. Preventing crawling with the robots.txt file seems logical but it’s a mistake. Search engines need to crawl those pages to understand the canonical tag’s instructions. This is crucial for correct indexing and ranking. Blocking the crawler is like trying to teach someone without letting them see the lesson plan. Keep your pages accessible for search engines; they need that information to correctly index your content.

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6. Canonical Tags for Duplicates Only: Don’t Confuse the System

Canonical tags are for duplicate content not unique masterpieces.

If a page boasts original content it doesn’t need a canonical tag because it’s already unique! Using tags on original content is like using a flashlight in broad daylight; it adds unnecessary complexity.

Focus canonical tags on duplicate content pages guiding search engines towards your preferred versions.

Avoid unnecessary complication; these tags are for duplicate content and only duplicate content.

Remember you’re solving a specific problem not adding more to the mix.

7. Sitemap Synergy: Don’t Forget Your Roadmap

If you have a sitemap (and you should!) include all your canonical URLs there.

Think of your sitemap as a map for search engines.

By including your canonical URLs you’re making it easier for them to find and prioritize your preferred pages thus further solidifying your SEO efforts.

It’s a simple step but it adds another layer of confirmation and direction to your SEO strategy.

Wrapping Up: The Power of Correct Canonicalization

Canonical tags are a powerful tool in your SEO arsenal but misuse can lead to serious ranking issues.

By avoiding these seven common mistakes you’ll ensure your WordPress site is well-optimized driving better search engine rankings and a more positive user experience.

Trust me your future self (and your clients!) will thank you for it.

Now go forth and conquer those duplicate content demons! Remember consistent effort in SEO translates into long-term success for your website and your clients.