A canonical URL identifies the preferred address for duplicate or substantially similar content. Keep links, sitemap entries, and canonical tags aligned so readers and crawlers encounter a consistent destination.
What to inspect
- Choose the public HTTPS hostname and the article’s permanent path.
- Avoid pointing every article at the blog homepage.
- Check tracking-parameter versions and duplicate routes for conflicting signals.
- Use redirects when an old URL permanently moves to a replacement.
For one article reachable with and without a campaign parameter, the content identity is unchanged. Two articles answering different questions should retain their own addresses. Canonicalization is not a cure for weak or overlapping writing.
A check you can run
Inspect the page source for one absolute canonical URL, fetch that destination, and confirm it returns the intended article rather than a redirect loop or generic listing.
Download preview image