How to fix canonical URL issues in PrestaShop?

@aniyah 

Fixing canonical URL issues in PrestaShop involves several steps to ensure that search engines understand the correct, authoritative pages to index. Here’s how you can address these issues:

1. Understand Canonical URLs: A canonical URL is the URL of the page that you want search engines to consider as the definitive version. This is particularly useful when you have different pages with very similar content or multiple URLs pointing to the same page.
2. Identify the Problem: Use tools like Google Search Console, Screaming Frog SEO Spider, or other SEO tools to identify pages with duplicate content issues or pages with missing/incorrect canonical tags.
3. Set Up Canonical URLs in PrestaShop: Default Functionality: PrestaShop usually handles canonical URLs well, but if you face issues, you might need to check your settings. Check Product and Category Pages: Make sure each product and category page has the correct canonical URL pointing to itself. Modules/Extensions: If PrestaShop doesn’t manage canonical URLs the way you want, consider Installing an SEO module that offers enhanced control over canonical tags and other SEO settings.
4. Modify .htaccess file: Ensure that your .htaccess file is configured correctly to handle URL redirects, especially if you have moved content, to prevent duplicate content issues. Implement 301 redirects where necessary to consolidate similar pages.
5. Review PrestaShop Settings: Go to "Shop Parameters" > "Traffic & SEO" and review the settings. Make sure that friendly URLs are enabled. Check the “Canonical redirect” option if available, to ensure it’s redirecting URLs to their canonical versions correctly.
6. URL Structure Configuration: Ensure consistent URL formats without session IDs or other dynamic parameters. Validate that PrestaShop's URL structure is elegant and closely matches the specifics of your site’s content hierarchy.
7. Evaluate and Update Theme Files: Sometimes, theme files might not output canonical tags properly. You might need to modify your theme’s template (.tpl) files to correctly implement canonical URLs. Check both the header.tpl file and relevant template files for products and categories.
8. Avoid Over-specification: Be careful not to specify every single variant of a product as a canonical URL unless necessary. Aim for a balance.
9. Testing and Validation: After making changes, use Google’s URL Inspection Tool to test how Googlebot views your pages. Double-check that canonical tags are correct across your site.
10. Monitoring and Adjustments: Continuously monitor your site for any canonical issues using your preferred SEO tool. Regularly review and update canonical URLs as you add new content, products, or categories.

By following these steps, you can effectively manage and resolve canonical URL issues in your PrestaShop store, enhancing your site’s SEO and preventing duplicate content issues.