This translation has not been editorially reviewed yet. The German version is authoritative. Deutsche Fassung →
Canonical in the Indexing audit area: which address applies
The canonical address names which URL is authoritative for a piece of content. The check establishes whether it's present — the substantive question of whether it points to the right address belongs in the comparison with the site structure.
- This point appears in two audit areas because it affects two things: in the SEO area it's about duplicate content and consolidating ranking signals; here it's about which address even makes it into the index at all.
- The most consequential mistake is a canonical address that points to the homepage. Then every subpage declares the homepage authoritative — and disappears.
- Almost as common: a canonical address that points to a redirected version. The search engine then follows the tag first, and then the redirect.
FAQ
Why does Canonical appear in two audit areas?
Because it has two effects: consolidating ranking signals (SEO) and deciding which address gets indexed (Indexing). The finding is the same, the consequence is different.
Should the canonical tag point to itself?
On a standalone page, yes — that's the simplest safe state, and it prevents parameter versions from ending up in the index on their own.