Verify URLs and Generate Canonical Tags Check and generate canonical URL tags to prevent duplicate content issues.

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Canonical URL Checker

Check and generate canonical URL tags to prevent duplicate content issues.

Enter your page URL

Type or paste the URL you want to set as the canonical version of the page.

Review variations

The tool identifies common URL variations (www, non-www, trailing slash, HTTP/HTTPS) that could cause duplicates.

Copy the canonical tag

Get the properly formatted <link rel="canonical"> tag to add to your HTML head.

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What Is Canonical URL Checker?

The Canonical URL Checker helps you identify and resolve duplicate content issues caused by URL variations. Search engines may see the same page at multiple URLs — with or without www, HTTP vs HTTPS, trailing slashes, URL parameters, and different letter cases. Without a canonical tag, search engines must guess which version to index, potentially splitting ranking signals across duplicates. This tool analyzes your URL, identifies potential duplicate variations, generates the correct rel="canonical" tag, and explains best practices for canonical implementation.

Why Use Canonical URL Checker?

Identifies common URL variations that cause duplicate content
Generates properly formatted rel="canonical" link tags
Supports www/non-www, HTTP/HTTPS, and trailing slash normalization
Explains canonical tag best practices and common mistakes
Helps consolidate ranking signals to your preferred URL version

Common Use Cases

Duplicate Content Prevention

Use canonical tags to consolidate ranking signals when the same content exists at multiple URLs.

E-commerce SEO

Handle product pages accessible via multiple category paths or with filter parameters.

Content Syndication

Point syndicated content back to the original source with cross-domain canonicals.

Site Migration

Apply proper canonicals during HTTP-to-HTTPS or domain migration.

Technical Guide

The canonical tag (<link rel="canonical" href="...">) tells search engines which URL is the "master" version of a page. It should be self-referencing on every page — even pages without duplicates should have a canonical pointing to themselves. Canonical tags can be self-referencing, point to another page on the same domain, or even cross-domain. Google treats canonical as a strong hint, not a directive — it may choose a different canonical if your tag conflicts with other signals (redirects, internal links, sitemaps). Place the tag in the <head> section. Only one canonical tag per page. The canonical URL must be an absolute URL (include the protocol and domain). Common mistakes: canonicalizing paginated pages to page 1 (use rel="next/prev" instead), setting noindex on canonicalized pages, and having conflicting canonical signals.

Tips & Best Practices

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Every page should have a self-referencing canonical tag, even if no duplicates exist
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Use absolute URLs in canonical tags (include https:// and the full domain)
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Don't combine noindex with canonical — they send conflicting signals
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Ensure canonical URLs return a 200 status code, not a redirect or error
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Canonical tags work across subdomains and even across different domains

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q What is a canonical URL?

A canonical URL is the preferred version of a page that you want search engines to index. The rel="canonical" tag tells search engines to consolidate ranking signals to this URL.

Q Is canonical a directive or a hint?

It's a strong hint. Google usually follows canonical tags but may override them if other signals (like internal links or redirects) point to a different URL.

Q Can I use canonical across domains?

Yes. Cross-domain canonicals are valid for syndicated content. The canonical should point to the original source URL.

Q Should paginated pages have canonicals?

Each page in a series should have a self-referencing canonical (page 2 canonicals to page 2, not to page 1). Don't canonical all pages to page 1.

About This Tool

Canonical URL Checker is a free online tool by FreeToolkit.ai. All processing happens directly in your browser — your data never leaves your device. No registration or installation required.