Multiple Canonical URLs

This error appears when a page has several canonical tags defined at the same time. Here's what it means and how to keep only the right one.

What this error means

The canonical tag tells Google which is the main version of a page. The problem is there can only be one. When several are defined, search engines don't know which one to follow and may ignore them all. This can happen in two ways. The most common is having multiple <link rel="canonical"> tags inside the page's <head>. The other is having one tag in the HTML and another in the HTTP headers at the same time, creating a conflict Google can't resolve on its own. In most cases this isn't intentional. It usually happens when SEO plugins, templates with a built-in canonical, or migrations that left leftovers from previous configurations without cleaning them up are combined. The result is that Google may decide to ignore all the signals and choose on its own which URL to index — which won't always be the one you want.

Why fixing duplicate canonicals matters

Having multiple canonicals isn't a minor error. It means sending Google contradictory signals about which is the main page, and that has direct consequences on how your content is indexed and ranked. Fixing it is a matter of removing what's extra and leaving only the correct signal.

Impact on SEO rankings

When there are multiple conflicting canonicals, Google may choose to ignore them all and decide on its own which URL to prioritize. That means losing control over which version ranks and how.

Impact on user experience

Users won't see this error directly, but they may notice its effects. If Google indexes the wrong version, the content that appears in search results may not be the most relevant or the most up to date.

Crawling and indexing obstacles

Contradictory signals make it harder for Google to understand your site's structure. This can affect how other related pages are crawled and indexed, not just the one with the problem.

Negative signals for site quality

Having multiple conflicting canonicals reflects a careless configuration. For Google, these kinds of errors signal a lack of technical control over the site.

How to fix it step by step

If this error showed up in your audit, here are the steps to leave it behind.

Step 1

Locate all canonicals defined on the page

Before removing anything, you need to know how many there are and where they come from. Open the page source and look for every instance of <link rel="canonical"> inside the <head>. Also check the HTTP response headers, as there may be one there too.

Step 2

Decide which is the correct canonical URL

Of all the canonicals defined, only one can be right. Identify which is the primary URL you want Google to index, and check with your team or whoever manages SEO if you're unsure.

Step 3

Remove all incorrect canonicals

Once you know which one is correct, remove the rest. Only one should remain, pointing to the primary URL. You can do this from the CMS, the SEO plugin you use (Yoast, Rank Math, etc.) or directly in the HTML code and server configuration.

Step 4

Verify that only one remains

After applying the changes, confirm that there is indeed only one canonical defined and that it points where it should. Check both the page source and the HTTP headers to make sure no duplicates remain.

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