Multiple Canonical Tags: Creating a Unique Signal
Several canonicals in the head send contradictory signals.
Multiple canonicals in the head send conflicting signals canonical signals help consolidate URL variants. It will be problematic if canonical, status code, robots and internal links suggest different goals.
Reduce multiple canonical sources to one jurisdiction
A theme can issue a canonical, while an SEO plugin complements a second one. Even if both call the same goal today, later changes can create conflicting values. Different goals are particularly problematic because the preferred URL is not clearly described.
Example: Recognizing the Result
Illustrated example: SEO extension and theme provide two canonicals: one on the detail page and one on the category. The desired goal is not clear.
<!-- Gewünschte eindeutige Ausgabe im head -->
<link rel="canonical" href="https://example.org/produkt/rucksack/">Limit cause and implement correction
Targeted limitation of the cause
Count canonical elements in the original HTML and rendered DOM. In addition, check a possible link header. For each find, write down the destination address and possible source. A second canonical visible only after JavaScript speaks for an additional client-side output.
Change and follow-up audit
Designate a responsible dispenser and disable the competing function. Avoid a posteriori JavaScript filter that simply removes an already shipped incorrect canonical from the DOM. The remaining goal should fit the content and be achievable.
Test homepage, category, detail page, and a URL with parameters. For each variant, the output may only name the consciously chosen canonical address. After emptying the caches, check again if the old second edition has disappeared.
What makes you recognize a suitable correction
Reduce the responsible output to a consistent source. Search for other contradictory signals in the original HTML and possibly in HTTP link headers.
Classification and boundaries
When is this indication not a clear error?
Two identical canonicals are more of a redundant implementation than the same conflict as two different goals; the dual source still remains prone to maintenance.
Further documentation
Multiple Canonical Tags After CMS and Cause
Many audit messages can be resolved faster if they are grouped by system, page type and technical cause. CMS indentations are only linked where multiple canonical tags have a clear cause or fixed route in the respective system.
Frequent causes of this error
Related SEO Errors
Appropriate Seitenreport checks
This error should not be checked in isolation. The following tools and clusters help to narrow down the cause faster and to cleanly prioritize the affected URL groups.