Quick Reference
Element Code: IN-014
Issue: Canonical URL is blocked by robots.txt
Impact: Conflicting signals prevent proper indexation
Fix: Either unblock the canonical URL or change the canonical
Detection: Screaming Frog, robots.txt testing
What Is This Issue?
Pointing a canonical to a URL that is blocked by robots.txt creates conflicting signals. You are telling Google this is the main version but also telling it not to crawl that URL.
Why This Matters for Your Website
This conflict may result in neither page being indexed properly, or unpredictable indexation behavior.
How to Fix This Issue
- Unblock canonical: Remove robots.txt restriction
- Or change canonical: Point to an accessible URL
- Verify: Test canonical URL is crawlable
Tools for Detection
- Screaming Frog: Cross-references canonicals with robots.txt
TL;DR (The Simple Version)
Your canonical points to a URL blocked by robots.txt. Either unblock that URL or change the canonical to point somewhere accessible.
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