1.3 CanonicalisationMediumInferred
Missing self-canonical on paginated/param pages
Parameterised and paginated pages need a deliberate canonical, either to themselves or to a clean version. Leaving it blank invites Google to pick a variant I did not choose.
What it is
Parameterised pages lack a self or clean canonical.
Why it matters
Duplicate-signal risk across parameter variants.
How to fix it
Add appropriate self-canonical or canonical to the clean URL.
How to find it on your site
- Identify parameter and pagination URLs in a crawl.
- Check the canonical on each.
- Decide whether each should self-canonical or point to a clean base URL.
- Apply the chosen canonical consistently across the set.
Cross-reference to ranking and citation factors
A deliberate canonical on parameter pages keeps signals where I want them rather than scattering across combinations.
Impact
Medium. Inferred.
Evidence
Use canonicals to manage parameter duplication. Google Search Central, Consolidate duplicate URLs (canonicalization); Google Search Central, Large site owner’s guide to managing crawl budget
Sources