Canonical URL checker
See which URL a page tells Google to index, catch conflicting or broken canonical tags, and test that the canonical URL loads directly and is indexable. Free, no account.
Reads the tags, headers and target of any public page.
How to check a canonical URL
- 1
Paste the page URL
Enter the exact URL you want to rank, including any query string, since the canonical is read per URL.
- 2
Read the canonical
The checker lists every canonical signal: link tags in the head and body, the HTTP Link header and og:url, and shows the one Google is most likely to use.
- 3
Check the target
If the canonical points somewhere else, that URL is fetched too, to confirm it loads directly, isn't noindex and doesn't name a canonical of its own.
- 4
Fix what conflicts
Keep one absolute, self-referencing canonical in the <head> of every indexable page, and point duplicates at the final URL of the version you want to rank.
Check the rest of the page too
The free audit checks canonicals alongside redirects, indexability, titles, schema, links and AI-search readiness.
Frequently asked questions
What is a canonical URL?
The canonical URL is the version of a page you want search engines to index when the same content is reachable at several URLs. You declare it with <link rel="canonical" href="…"> in the page's <head>, or with an HTTP Link header for files like PDFs.
Should every page have a self-referencing canonical?
Yes. A canonical pointing at the page itself costs nothing and stops tracking parameters, http:// or www variants and trailing-slash duplicates from being indexed as separate pages.
Does Google always follow the canonical tag?
No. It is a strong hint, not a directive. Google may choose a different canonical when the signals disagree, for example when internal links, the sitemap or redirects point at another version, or when the canonical URL is broken or noindex.
What happens if a page has two canonical tags?
If they point at different URLs, Google ignores both and picks a canonical itself. Duplicate tags usually come from a theme and an SEO plugin both adding one.
Can a canonical point to another domain?
Yes. Cross-domain canonicals are valid for syndicated content, where a republished article points back to the original. The target must load and be indexable for it to count.
Should I use noindex or a canonical for duplicate pages?
A canonical, in most cases. It consolidates ranking signals onto the preferred version, while noindex simply drops the page. Using both on the same page sends mixed signals.