Quick Reference
Element Code: IN-012
Issue: Google selected a different canonical than the one specified
Impact: Your preferred page may not rank; Google chose differently
Fix: Investigate why Google disagrees and strengthen signals
Detection: Google Search Console URL Inspection
What Is This Issue?
When Google selects a different canonical than what you specified, it means Google disagrees with your canonicalization. This could indicate duplicate content, stronger signals on another page, or technical issues.
Why This Matters for Your Website
If Google ignores your canonical, your SEO strategy for those pages is not working as intended. The page you want to rank may not be indexed.
How to Fix This Issue
- Check GSC: See what Google selected as canonical
- Compare pages: Why might Google prefer the other?
- Strengthen signals: Internal links, content uniqueness
- Fix technical issues: Ensure no conflicting signals
Tools for Detection
- Google Search Console: Shows Google-selected canonical
TL;DR (The Simple Version)
Google chose a different canonical than you specified. Check Search Console to see which page Google prefers and why. You may need to strengthen signals on your preferred page.
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