KitJade
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Canonical URL Checker

Spot canonical mismatches before they split ranking signals.

Use the Canonical URL Checker tool

Runs in your browserUpdated Report a problem

What this canonical url checker does

Canonical URL Checker compares the URL you believe a page lives at with the URL declared in its canonical tag. It normalises harmless differences — case in the host, default ports, trailing slashes and fragments — then reports whether the two still resolve to the same address.

A mismatch is not automatically an error. Cross-domain canonicals are legitimate for syndicated content and www/non-www consolidation. What matters is that the canonical points where you intend, and that the target responds with a 200 status.

Why use it

  • Confirm that a canonical tag points at the version you want indexed.
  • Catch trailing-slash mismatches after a framework change.
  • Document canonical behaviour when migrating a site.

How to use it

  1. 1Paste the page URL you are auditing.
  2. 2Paste the canonical value from the page source.
  3. 3Review the normalised comparison and the explanation.

Worked examples

Harmless difference

Input

Page: https://example.com/post/ · Canonical: https://example.com/post

Output

Match after normalisation.

Different host

Input

Page: https://www.example.com/a · Canonical: https://example.com/a

Output

Mismatch: different host. Intentional only during a planned consolidation.

Common mistakes

  • Pointing every page's canonical at the homepage, which tells search engines the pages are duplicates.
  • Using a relative canonical that resolves differently under a path prefix.
  • Canonicalising to a URL that returns a redirect or an error.

Frequently asked questions

Does this fetch either URL?
No. It compares the strings you provide. Check the canonical target's status with the HTTP status checker after comparing.
Should the canonical include a trailing slash?
Either is fine if you are consistent. What matters is that the canonical, internal links and sitemap agree.
Can a canonical point to another domain?
Yes, and it is common for syndication. Only do it when you truly want the other URL to be treated as the original.

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