Donaldson R F
WordPress
Fix Canonical URL Configurations
Fix missing, duplicate, or incorrect canonical tags that are confusing search engines about which URL is the "real" one.
The Problem
Wrong canonical tags can make Google index the wrong version of a page (with or without www, http or https, with tracking parameters) — splitting your SEO value across multiple URLs instead of one.
About this problem
A canonical tag tells search engines which URL is the preferred version of a page. In WordPress it is output by core and by SEO plugins, and it can end up wrong when a theme adds its own tag, when two plugins both output one, or when the site is reachable through multiple hostnames, protocols or tracking parameters. Search engines can then treat the duplicates as separate pages or pick the wrong one.
People usually look for this when Search Console shows duplicate pages without a user-selected canonical, when the wrong URL appears in search results, or after an HTTPS or www change. It is also common after changing SEO plugins.
What's Included
- Auditing canonical tags across key page types
- Fixing incorrect or missing canonical URLs
- Resolving conflicts with SEO plugin settings if present
- Spot-checking the fix with real pages after the change
What's NOT Included
- Full technical SEO audit beyond canonical tags
- Content duplication issues that need a content decision, not a technical one
- Migrating the site to a different domain/protocol
How It Works
- I sample key page types, including home, posts, pages, categories, pagination and archives, and read their canonical tags in the HTML source.
- I check whether the theme, core and one or more plugins each output a canonical tag, and remove the duplicates.
- I check the tag against the real preferred address for protocol, www or non-www, and trailing slash.
- I correct the SEO plugin settings or the template that produces the wrong value.
- I confirm that redirects from the alternative URLs agree with the canonical declared.
- I recheck the same sample pages, plus a few real pages with parameters, to confirm the canonical is now correct.
In practice: you buy the service, send over whatever access or details the job needs, I investigate and do the work, and you confirm it's resolved before we call it done.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a canonical URL in WordPress?
- It is the tag telling search engines which address is the main version of a page. It prevents duplicates from splitting ranking signals.
- Why does Search Console say Google chose a different canonical?
- Usually because your tag, redirects or internal links disagree. I check these against each other.
- Do you do a complete SEO audit?
- No, a full technical SEO audit is excluded. This service covers canonical tags only.
- What about duplicate content that is simply copied text?
- That needs a content decision, not a technical one, so it is not covered here.
- Will you move my site to another domain or to HTTPS?
- No, migrating to a different domain or protocol is a separate piece of work.
- Will the canonical change affect my rankings quickly?
- Search engines take time to reprocess, so changes are not immediate and I cannot predict ranking effects.