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How to fix ‘Alternate Page with Proper Canonical Tag’

SEO can sometimes feel tricky, especially when you see an error like “Alternate page with proper canonical tag” in Google Search Console.

This message means Google found another page that it thinks is the main version of your content, so it won’t index the one you’re looking at. It’s not always bad, but if the wrong page is marked as the main one, it can hurt your rankings.

In this guide, I’ll explain:

What canonical tags are and why Google uses them

Common reasons this issue happens

How to fix it so the right page gets indexed

By the end, you’ll know how to set canonical tags correctly and make sure Google understands which version of your page to show in search results.

Let’s get started.

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Why Canonical Tags Are Crucial For SEO?

1. Avoid Duplicate Content

  • They tell search engines which page version is the master copy.

2. Consolidate Link Equity

  • Signals from duplicate pages are combined, boosting SEO performance.

3. Improve Crawl Efficiency

  • Search engines spend less time on duplicate content, saving crawl budget.

Alternate page with proper canonical tag amp

An “Alternate page with proper canonical tag” for AMP means Google found your AMP page but correctly points its canonical tag to the main non-AMP version.
This is normal and ensures the original page is prioritized for indexing.
No action is needed unless the canonical points to the wrong URL.

Understanding Canonical Tags and SEO

Canonical tags tell search engines which page is the main version when similar or duplicate content exists.
They help combine ranking signals, avoid duplicate content issues, and keep SEO performance strong.
This ensures the right page gets prioritized in search results.

alternate page with proper canonical tag

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Frequently Asked SEO Questions (FAQ)

How should I handle alternate pages with canonical tags?

If the canonical tag points to the correct main page, no action is needed.
If it’s wrong, update the tag to the right URL.
Remove or block duplicate pages so Google indexes only the version you want.

What does alternate page with proper canonical tag mean?

Google found this page, but it’s not indexing it because it has a canonical tag pointing to another page that Google agrees is the main version.

In simple terms:

    • You have two or more pages with similar or duplicate content.

    • The page in question tells Google, “The main page is over there,” using a canonical tag.

    • Google listens and only indexes the main page (canonical URL), not the alternate one.

Alternate page with proper canonical tag error - Third Party SEO tools

When using third-party SEO tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, Screaming Frog, or Sitebulb, you may encounter a status or warning that says “Alternate page with proper canonical tag.” This flag isn’t necessarily an error—it’s a signal that the tool has detected two or more pages on your site with similar or duplicate content, and one of them contains a rel=”canonical” tag pointing to another page.

The purpose of a canonical tag is to tell search engines which version of a page is the “main” one that should be indexed. This helps consolidate ranking signals, prevent duplicate content issues, and ensure that search engines focus on the correct page. When a third-party tool identifies an alternate page with a proper canonical tag, it is essentially confirming that you have a duplicate or near-duplicate page that is set up to defer to a primary page.

In most cases, if the canonical tag points to the correct page, no action is required. The alternate page is intentionally not indexed because it is either a filtered, parameterized, or duplicate version of the canonical page. This behavior is normal and part of good SEO practice.

However, problems arise if:

  • The canonical tag points to the wrong page.

  • Duplicate pages are being generated unintentionally (e.g., via CMS settings, URL parameters, or plugins).

  • The alternate page has valuable unique content that should be indexed, but the canonical tag prevents it.

To address these issues using third-party tools:

  1. Identify the affected URLs – Use the tool’s report to see both the alternate page and its canonical target.

  2. Verify accuracy – Confirm that the canonical target is indeed the page you want indexed.

  3. Fix misconfigurations – Update the canonical tag if it’s wrong, remove unneeded duplicates, or adjust internal linking.

  4. Cross-check in Google Search Console – Tools only crawl your site; GSC shows how Google processes it.

By reviewing canonical tag setups regularly, you ensure that search engines index the right pages, maintain strong SEO signals, and avoid unintentional ranking losses.

How To Fix “Alternate page with proper canonical tag” - Onely

To fix “Alternate page with proper canonical tag”, first check the affected URLs in Google Search Console. Use the URL Inspection tool to see which page Google considers the canonical. If this is correct, no action is needed. If it’s wrong, update the <link rel=”canonical”> tag to point to the right URL. Remove or block duplicate pages caused by URL parameters, filters, or CMS settings. Ensure each important page has unique content. Finally, resubmit the corrected URLs in GSC for reindexing. This ensures Google indexes the right version and preserves your SEO signals.

[Solved] Duplicate / Alternate Page with Proper Canonical Tag

This status means Google found multiple pages with similar content, and one has a canonical tag pointing to the main version. Google is indexing only that main page.

Solution:

  1. In Google Search Console, open the report and inspect the affected URL.

  2. If the canonical points to the correct main page → no action needed.

  3. If wrong → update the <link rel="canonical"> tag to the correct URL.

  4. Remove or block unnecessary duplicates.

  5. Ensure key pages have unique content and request indexing.

Google not indexing "alternate page with proper canonical tag"

The “Alternate page with proper canonical tag” status means Google found a page but isn’t indexing it because it points (via a canonical tag) to another page it considers the main version. This is normal if the canonical is correct—Google is avoiding duplicate content. If you want the alternate page indexed, update its canonical tag to point to itself, make the content unique, and ensure it’s in your sitemap with internal links. In Google Search Console, inspect the affected URL to see the chosen canonical, fix if wrong, then request indexing. Otherwise, no action is needed if it’s intentional.

How to Specify a Canonical with rel="canonical" and Other Methods

To specify a canonical URL for duplicate or very similar pages, you can use several methods, listed by their strength:

  • Redirects (301) — a powerful way to signal the preferred version.

  • rel="canonical" link tag in the HTML <head> — a strong indication to search engines.

  • XML Sitemap inclusion — a weaker signal that supports canonical preference. Google for Developers

For best results, combine these methods. They reinforce each other and improve the likelihood that Google indexes the right page. Each technique is optional, however — if you don’t specify, Google will choose what it deems the best URL

Can I use canonical tags to link pages between different Shopify stores?

Canonical tags in Shopify define the preferred URL for duplicate content within the same store.
They should never link between different Shopify stores, as each store needs unique URLs and hierarchy.
Cross-store canonicals confuse search engines and can harm SEO performance.

Can I set canonical tags for paginated collection pages in Shopify?

Yes, Shopify supports canonical tags for paginated collection pages.
The canonical should point to page 1 of the collection for proper indexing.
This helps avoid duplicate content issues across paginated URLs.

Do canonical tags impact page load speed on Shopify?

Canonical tags are lightweight HTML elements that don’t affect page load speed.
They’re processed by search engines but don’t slow down rendering for users.
Load time is influenced more by images, scripts, and server performance.

How To Fix Alternate Page With Proper Canonical Tag In Blogger?

In Blogger, the “Alternate page with proper canonical tag” issue in Google Search Console usually means Google found another page (like AMP, label pages, or duplicates) but is indexing the canonical version instead.
This is normal in many cases, but if it’s affecting important pages, here’s how you can fix it:

1. Identify the URL

  • In Google Search Console → Pages → find the affected URL.

  • Click Inspect URL → check which page it’s pointing to as the canonical.

2. Check if the canonical is correct

  • If Google is right (e.g., AMP page points to the main article), no fix needed.

  • If it’s wrong (pointing to a different post or homepage), you’ll need to edit the HTML.

3. Edit Canonical Tag in Blogger

  • In Blogger dashboard → Theme → Edit HTML.

  • Locate the <head> section of your post template.

  • Add or adjust:
    <link rel=”canonical” href=”https://www.yourblog.com/your-correct-url” />

  • Replace the URL with your actual preferred one.

    4. For AMP pages in Blogger

    • If you’re using AMP templates or scripts, ensure AMP pages have a canonical pointing to the non-AMP version, and the non-AMP has <link rel="amphtml"> pointing back to AMP.

    5. Request re-indexing

    • In GSC, click Request Indexing after fixing.

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Can anyone tell me what this means, in plain English, and how do I fix it? I went the Hostinger route and I didn't have this error until last month & it doesn't tell me which page it is. "Alternate page with proper canonical tag. These pages aren't indexed or served on Google".

This message in Google Search Console means Google found pages on your site that are very similar (or identical) to other pages.
Each of these pages has a canonical tag that tells Google, “Hey, the main version of this content is over there.” Google agrees and only indexes the main (canonical) page, not the alternate one.

This is usually not an error—it’s just how Google handles duplicate or near-duplicate content.
It only becomes a problem if:

  • The wrong page is set as the canonical.

  • Duplicate pages are being created by accident.

Why it might be happening now (even if it wasn’t before)

  • Hostinger or a plugin/theme update may have changed how URLs or canonical tags are generated.

  • New parameters in URLs (like ?ref=, ?utm=, filters, etc.) could be creating alternate pages.

  • Very similar content across different URLs is making Google treat them as duplicates.

How to Fix or Check It

  1. Identify the affected pages

    • In Google Search Console, click the message → view the report → click on a URL → use URL Inspection.

    • GSC will show you the “canonical” page it’s pointing to.

  2. Check if that’s correct

    • If the canonical is the page you want indexed, no fix is needed—it’s working as intended.

    • If it’s wrong, update your canonical tags so the right page is set as the primary.

  3. Remove unneeded duplicates

    • If extra pages are being generated by parameters, disable those in your CMS or block them from being crawled in robots.txt (only if you’re sure they’re not needed).

  4. Ensure content uniqueness

    • Rewrite or differentiate content if multiple pages are too similar.

Bottom line:
If the canonical tags are correct and the right pages are being indexed, you can leave it as is. If the wrong pages are chosen or duplicates are unintentional, you’ll need to adjust your canonical tags, fix content duplication, or stop unnecessary pages from being created.

Reference: Google’s official guide to canonicals

Alternate Page with Proper Canonical Tag

The “Alternate page with proper canonical tag” status in Google Search Console means Google found a duplicate or variant page pointing to a primary one via a canonical tag. It’s common with product variations, URL parameters, dynamic content, or pagination.

To fix it, identify the main authoritative page, implement the canonical tag on alternatives, and verify in Search Console. Monitor performance, adjust tags as needed, and use 301 redirects if redundant pages exist. Regular audits keep tags accurate and SEO healthy. Proper canonicalization improves indexing, rankings, and traffic by directing search engines to your preferred content source.

We Will Fix Your Canonical Tag Issues Now

Struggling with duplicate content or indexing problems? Contact DevriX for enterprise SEO solutions and ensure your pages rank as intended.

Contact Us Now
Shopify Canonicals

Pro Tips for Managing Canonical Tags in Shopify

While Shopify automatically sets canonical tags, advanced store owners can fine-tune them for better SEO: Custom Canonicals for Collections – If you have a product in multiple collections, point each variation to the main product page to avoid splitting ranking power. Use Canonicals for Blog Posts – If you syndicate content or share excerpts on other platforms, set the canonical back to your original blog post to protect rankings. Parameter Handling – Filtered and search result pages often generate unique URLs with parameters. Use canonical tags to ensure only the clean, original URL is indexed. Audit Regularly – Check in Google Search Console for any mismatches between user-declared and Google-selected canonicals to catch errors early. Correct use of canonical tags ensures that your Shopify store sends a clear, unified ranking signal to Google, boosting your visibility while avoiding duplicate content penalties.

What Are Canonical Tags in Shopify?

A canonical tag in Shopify is an HTML element in the that tells search engines the original (preferred) page among similar URLs:
Example:
For a product appearing in multiple collections:

URL 1: https://store.com/collections/sale/products/red-mug
URL 2: https://store.com/products/red-mug (canonical)

This prevents duplicate content issues from collection pages, product variants, or tracking parameters. Shopify adds these tags automatically, but you can edit them in the theme editor.
After editing, you might see “Alternate pages with canonical tags” in Google Search Console under Indexing → Pages → Why pages aren’t indexed.

Alternate Pages with Canonical Tags in Shopify

This status means:

  • Google found another URL for the same content.

  • That page correctly points to your declared canonical URL.

  • The canonical page is indexed.

✅ Example in Shopify:

  • Alternate: /collections/sale/products/red-mug

  • Canonical: /products/red-mug

Google is basically saying: “We found your main page and indexed that instead—no action needed.”

When to Check Further:
Use URL Inspection in Search Console:

  • If User-declared and Google-selected canonicals match → no problem.

  • If they differ → possible duplicate content.

Fixing Duplicate Content:

  • Compare page titles, meta descriptions, product descriptions, and product titles.

  • Update or merge pages so only one remains the main source.

Alternate Page with Proper Canonical Tag – Shopify Explained
Alternate Page with Proper Canonical Tag – Shopify
Psst! Need help with Shopify SEO? Our experts are here for you

Final Say Alternate page with proper canonical tag shopify

An “alternate page with proper canonical tag shopify” means search engines are indexing the correct page version—a positive sign.

Check: Inspect the URL in Google Search Console; ensure the user-declared and Google-selected canonicals match.

If Mismatch: Fix duplicate content by updating titles, meta descriptions, product descriptions, or merging pages.

Common Shopify SEO Issues:

  • Poor URL structure

  • Multiple H1 tags

  • Auto-generated page tags

  • Myshopify.com web pages

  • Duplicate product URLs

Action: Address issues early to protect rankings and traffic. Use Shopify tools or hire an SEO expert for best results.

Performance after having our experts on board: 144,461 total web search clicks

Final Say Alternate page with proper canonical tag shopify

Why Canonical Tags Matter for Shopify SEO?

Shopify Canonical Tags & SEO

  • Purpose: Tell search engines the preferred URL when multiple versions of a page exist.

  • Why it matters: Prevents duplicate content from harming ranking signals.

  • Shopify default behavior:

    • Generates multiple URLs for the same product:

      • /products/product-name

      • /collections/collection-name/products/product-name

  • Duplicate content sources:

    • Pagination in collection pages

    • Product variants (?variant=12345)

    • Sorting/filters (?sort_by=price-asc)

  • Solution: Use canonical tags so search engines index the main page version.

  • Result: Stronger SEO performance and consolidated ranking signals.

How Shopify Handles Canonical Tags by Default?

How Shopify Handles Canonical Tags by Default​

Shopify & Canonical URLs: How They Work

Shopify automatically includes canonical URLs for most content types—product pages, collection pages, and blog posts. These canonical tags point to the primary version of the content, helping consolidate SEO value and preventing ranking dilution from duplicate pages.

Example:
The canonical tag on /products/product-name tells Google this is the preferred URL, even if the same product appears in multiple collections or has different variants. This prevents non-canonical versions from being indexed.

However, while Shopify’s default setup is strong, some cases may require manual customization—for example:

  • A product listed in multiple collections

  • Custom URL structures for campaigns

  • Advanced filtering and sorting

Case in Point:
The product Samshield Diane Breeches appears at two URLs:

  1. https://trailrace.com.au/products/samshield-diane-breeches

  2. https://trailrace.com.au/collections/ladies/products/samshield-diane-breeches

Even though the product is accessible via both URLs, viewing the source code of the collection URL reveals a canonical tag pointing to the master product page:


<link rel=”canonical” href=”https://trailrace.com.au/products/samshield-diane-breeches”>

This ensures search engines consolidate all ranking signals to the preferred URL, improving SEO performance and avoiding duplicate content penalties.

Customizing Canonical Tags in Shopify

Custom Canonical URLs in Shopify
While Shopify adds default canonical tags, customization can be useful for:

  • Products appearing in multiple collections.

  • Custom-built pages needing a preferred URL.

Steps to Add Custom Canonical URLs:

  1. Go to Shopify Admin → Online Store → Themes → Edit Code.

  2. Open theme.liquid or the relevant template.

  3. Add inside <head>:

    <link rel=”canonical” href=”https://example.com/preferred-url”>

     

  4. Save changes.

  • /products/item (master URL)

  • /collections/sale/products/item → canonical points to /products/item.

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We Will Fix Your Canonical Tag Issues Now

Struggling with duplicate content or indexing problems? Contact DevriX for enterprise SEO solutions and ensure your pages rank as intended.

Contact Us Now

Next Steps

Fixing the “Alternate Page with Proper Canonical Tag” issue ensures Google indexes your preferred URL. Audit canonical tags, align sitemaps and links, and monitor Search Console for issues. Track results and stay updated on SEO best practices. Consistent checks maintain site health, boost rankings, and support long-term search visibility.

Alternate Page with Proper Canonical Tag

The “Alternate page with proper canonical tag” status in Google Search Console means Google found a duplicate or variant page pointing to a primary one via a canonical tag. It’s common with product variations, URL parameters, dynamic content, or pagination.

To fix it, identify the main authoritative page, implement the canonical tag on alternatives, and verify in Search Console. Monitor performance, adjust tags as needed, and use 301 redirects if redundant pages exist. Regular audits keep tags accurate and SEO healthy. Proper canonicalization improves indexing, rankings, and traffic by directing search engines to your preferred content source.


Identifying the Issue

The “Alternate Page with Proper Canonical Tag” message in Google Search Console means your page, though correctly labeled, isn’t seen as the primary version for indexing. This often happens when multiple pages have the same content and Google chooses a different one, even if you set a canonical tag.

Why It Happens

  • Duplicate or similar content across URLs.
  • Google judges another page as more relevant for users.
  • Signals from backlinks, internal linking, or external factors.

How to Check

  • Log into Google Search Console and open the “Pages” section.
  • Look for the “Why pages aren’t indexed” section and check flagged URLs.
  • Compare your canonical tag in HTML with the intended preferred URL.

Fixing the Problem

  • Ensure internal links and sitemaps point to the preferred version.
  • Review backlinks and update if they point to the wrong page.
  • Keep URL structures consistent and run regular audits.

About Us

Talha is a Technical SEO Expert from Karachi, Pakistan—he’s a founder of Talha Siddiq SEO, a cutting-edge digital marketing agency based in Lahore. With years of experience and a passion for helping businesses grow, Talha leads a talented team dedicated to crafting SEO-friendly websites and mastering SEM, SMM, and PPC management to boost your Google rankings faster than ever.

We specialize in everything from Search and YouTube SEO to Social Media Marketing (including Facebook and Google ads), Blog Management, Video Editing, and Link Building.

Talha isn’t just the founder—he’s a top-rated freelancer with a proven track record on multiple platforms since 2014. Supported by a dedicated team, we turn your digital dreams into reality. Curious to see how? Request your free audit or explore our portfolio today!

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