Have you noticed that your WordPress website is showing both http:// and https:// in the canonical URL? This Canonical URL issues can cause confusion for search engines and negatively impact your SEO. If your site is dealing with this issue, don’t worry—you’re not alone! In this guide, I’ll explain why this happens and how you can fix it step by step.
What Is a Canonical URL?
A canonical URL is the preferred version of a webpage that you want search engines to index. It helps prevent duplicate content issues by telling search engines which version of your webpage to prioritize.
Why Are Canonical URLs Important for WordPress?
Canonical URLs play a crucial role in SEO because they prevent duplicate content problems. If search engines find multiple versions of the same page, your site’s ranking could drop. Having a properly set canonical URL helps keep your website organized in search results.
Common Canonical URL Problems in WordPress
1. Mixed HTTP and HTTPS URLs
If your website is accessible with both http:// and https://, search engines may treat them as separate versions, causing confusion.
2. Duplicate Canonical URLs
Sometimes, due to plugin conflicts or improper settings, multiple canonical tags can appear on a page, making it difficult for search engines to determine the correct one.
Why Does Your WordPress Site Show Both HTTP and HTTPS in the Canonical URL?
1. Incorrect WordPress URL Settings
Your WordPress General Settings might still have the old HTTP version listed instead of HTTPS. This can cause mixed canonical URLs.
2. SSL Configuration Problems
If your SSL certificate is not properly installed, browsers may not redirect traffic correctly, leading to both HTTP and HTTPS versions appearing in search results.
3. Plugin Conflicts
SEO plugins like Yoast SEO or Rank Math can sometimes conflict with each other, leading to duplicate canonical tags.
4. Issues in the .htaccess File
A misconfigured .htaccess file can cause mixed protocol issues, making your site accessible with both HTTP and HTTPS.
5. Theme-Related Problems
Some WordPress themes have built-in canonical URL settings that might override the correct configurations, causing conflicts.
How to Fix Incorrect Canonical URLs in WordPress
1. Update WordPress General Settings
- Go to Settings > General
- Check WordPress Address (URL) and Site Address (URL)
- Make sure both are set to https://yourwebsite.com
- Click Save Changes
2. Fix the .htaccess File
Edit your .htaccess file and add the following rule to force HTTPS:
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301]
3. Ensure Proper SSL Setup
- Check if your SSL certificate is installed correctly using WhyNoPadlock.
- Install the Really Simple SSL plugin to enforce HTTPS.
4. Check for Plugin Conflicts
- Deactivate all SEO-related plugins one by one.
- Clear your cache after each deactivation.
- Check if the issue persists. If it stops after deactivating a specific plugin, that plugin was causing the problem.
5. Manually Set Canonical URLs in Yoast SEO
- Edit the page or post.
- Scroll to the Yoast SEO section.
- Go to Advanced Settings and enter the correct canonical URL.
How to Verify Your Canonical URL
1. Checking the Page Source Code
- Right-click on your webpage and select View Page Source.
- Search for <link rel=”canonical” href=”https://yourwebsite.com/” />.
2. Using Google Search Console
- Open Google Search Console.
- Use the URL Inspection Tool to check the indexed version.
3. Using Online SEO Tools
- Use tools like Screaming Frog SEO Spider or Ahrefs to scan your site for canonical issues.
How Incorrect Canonical URLs Can Affect SEO
1. Duplicate Content Issues
If Google sees http:// and https:// versions as separate pages, it may treat them as duplicate content, hurting your rankings.
2. Drop in Search Rankings
When canonical URLs are not set correctly, Google may struggle to determine which page to rank, leading to fluctuations in search rankings.
3. Crawl Errors & Indexing Problems
Incorrect canonical URLs can cause crawl errors, making it difficult for search engines to properly index your site.
Best Practices for Setting Up Canonical URLs in WordPress
- Always enforce HTTPS using 301 redirects.
- Regularly check canonical tags using SEO tools.
- Avoid using multiple SEO plugins that modify canonical settings.
- Use a properly configured .htaccess file to redirect all HTTP traffic to HTTPS.
Conclusion
Incorrect canonical URLs in WordPress can cause SEO issues, duplicate content problems, and ranking fluctuations. By updating your settings, fixing the .htaccess file, ensuring SSL is correctly configured, and using the right SEO plugins, you can resolve this problem and keep your site optimized for search engines.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What’s the difference between a canonical URL and a 301 redirect?
A canonical URL tells search engines which URL to index, while a 301 redirect permanently moves traffic from one URL to another.
2. How can I check for canonical URL issues?
Use Google Search Console, Screaming Frog SEO, or check your page’s source code.
3. Why is my site showing a different canonical URL in Google Search Console?
Google may choose a different canonical based on site structure, redirects, and internal linking.
