Alternate page with proper canonical tag Solution | Blogger | Google Search Console | fix 2023

Alternate page with proper canonical tag what does it mean and how to fix it - These pages aren't indexed or served on Google
How to Fix Alternate Page With Proper Canonical Tag in Google Search Console for blogger (2023)

Are you a blogger looking to optimize your website's SEO performance and ensure that search engines understand your content correctly? One crucial aspect of SEO is implementing proper canonical tags for your alternate pages. In this video, we will explore the concept of alternate pages, the importance of canonical tags, and provide a step-by-step solution for implementing them in Google Search Console for your Blogger website.

Understanding Alternate Pages
Alternate pages refer to different URLs that display similar or identical content. These variations may arise due to factors such as different URL parameters, session IDs, or mobile versions of your website. Search engines may interpret these alternate pages as duplicate content, which can negatively impact your website's search rankings and visibility.

Importance of Canonical Tags
Canonical tags are HTML elements that help search engines identify the preferred version of a web page when multiple versions exist. By adding a canonical tag to your HTML code, you inform search engines that a particular page is the authoritative source for the content, regardless of any alternate versions. This helps search engines understand your website structure better and ensures that the right page appears in search results.

Steps to Fix Alternate Pages with Proper Canonical Tags
1. Identify the Alternate Pages
The first step in fixing alternate pages is to identify them. You can do this by performing a thorough website audit and analyzing your site's URLs. Look for URLs that have similar or duplicate content but differ in terms of URL parameters, session IDs, or mobile versions. Once you have identified these alternate pages, you can proceed to implement canonical tags.
2. Add the Canonical Tag
To add a canonical tag, you need to edit the HTML code of your alternate pages. Locate the ''head'' section of each page and insert the following line of code between the opening and closing ''head''
3. Validate the Changes
After adding the canonical tags, it's essential to validate the changes to ensure they are implemented correctly. You can use the Google Search Console's URL Inspection tool to check if the canonical tags are present on your pages. Simply enter the URL of an alternate page and inspect it. The tool will display the page's HTML code, and you can verify if the canonical tag is present.

Best Practices for Canonical Tags
When using canonical tags, it's essential to follow some best practices to maximize their effectiveness:

Use absolute URLs: Always include the full URL in the canonical tag, including the protocol (http:// or https://) and the domain name.

Consistency is key: Ensure that the canonical tags are consistent across your website. The preferred version of the content should always have the same canonical URL.

Implement site-wide: Apply canonical tags site-wide to avoid confusion and ensure that search engines understand the preferred version of all your pages.

Update when necessary: If you make significant changes to your website structure or content, review and update the canonical tags accordingly.

Conclusion
Fixing alternate pages with proper canonical tags is crucial for maintaining a healthy website in the eyes of search engines. By implementing canonical tags, you can guide search engines to index and rank the right version of your content. Remember to identify alternate pages, add the canonical tags, and validate the changes using tools like the Google Search Console. By following best practices, you can enhance the visibility and search engine performance of your website.

FAQs
1. Can I use relative URLs in canonical tags?
No, it's recommended to use absolute URLs in canonical tags to provide clear instructions to search engines.

2. Do I need to add a canonical tag to every page on my website?
Not necessarily. You should focus on adding canonical tags to pages that have alternate versions or duplicate content.

3. Can I use canonical tags for non-HTML files, such as PDFs or images?
No, canonical tags are intended for HTML content. For other file types, you can use alternative methods to specify the preferred version.

4. How often should I review and update my canonical tags?
It's good practice to review your canonical tags whenever you make significant changes to your website structure or content.

5. Can canonical tags prevent all duplicate content issues?
While canonical tags help with duplicate content, they are not a foolproof solution. It's essential to implement other SEO best practices to avoid duplicate content issues.