Skip to main content
Apply for a Cheap Website
Website explainer · 1:47

Canonical URLs Explained: Choosing the Main Version of a Page

Can two addresses show the same page? A canonical signal helps identify the preferred version.

Jersey Web video: Two URLs. One main page.

1:47 · No narration: the video shows each step as text on screen, and every step is written out below, with buttons that jump the video to it.

Download the on-screen text track (VTT)

The six points in the video

This is a silent video. The headings, explanations and labels below reproduce the information on screen.

  1. Step 1: Recognise repeated versions

    Filters and tracking links can create several page addresses.

    On-screen labels: Main page URL; Tracking version; Filtered version.

  2. Step 2: Choose a preferred address

    Decide which equivalent version should be the main one.

    On-screen labels: Preferred page; Equivalent content; Consistent address.

  3. Step 3: A canonical is a signal

    Search engines can still choose a different canonical.

    On-screen labels: Suggested main URL; Search engine choice; Check the result.

  4. Step 4: Keep supporting signals aligned

    Internal links and sitemaps should use the preferred URL.

    On-screen labels: Internal links; Sitemap entry; Canonical reference.

  5. Step 5: Use redirects for actual moves

    A canonical reference does not send visitors elsewhere.

    On-screen labels: Moved page; Relevant redirect; Visitor destination.

  6. Step 6: Inspect important examples

    Use Search Console to review the selected canonical.

    On-screen labels: Preferred URL; Google-selected URL; Resolve mismatches.

A practical check for your business

List the alternative URLs and identify the intended main version before changing canonical references. Check that the chosen destination works and represents the same content. A canonical reference does not itself send a visitor to another URL.

Sources and further detail

See it in a diagram

Three equivalent page addresses feed into one preferred URL, with internal links, sitemap entries and canonical references aligned.
Canonical URLs, explained. Aligned signals help identify the preferred equivalent page; search engines choose the canonical.
Read the diagram as text
  1. Several URLs: Equivalent page content
  2. Aligned signals: Links, sitemap and canonical
  3. Preferred version: A consistent main address

Check the selected canonical. URL Inspection can show Google’s chosen version.

A canonical reference does not redirect visitors.

Diagram by Jersey Web. Open full size · Source and further detail (opens in a new tab)

Common questions

Can two addresses show the same page?

A canonical signal helps identify the preferred version. Ask your developer to check the signals together.

Go further

Guide Read the practical guide More context for planning and maintaining your business website. 7 min read → Jargon Buster Canonical URL explained Read the related Jargon Buster explanation. Read the explanation →

Ask your developer to check the signals together.

Tell Jersey Web what your website needs to do and which part you want help with.

Talk to Jersey Web →

More video tips

All 205 videos →
Length 1:47 Search and content

Robots.txt Explained: Crawling Rules and Common Mistakes

Crawling rules, explained. Length 1:47 Search and content

XML Sitemaps Explained: Helping Search Engines Find Pages

Help important pages be found. Length 1:47 Search and content

What Does Noindex Mean? Search Visibility Controls Explained

Noindex, made clear.