Quick answer
A canonical URL tells Google which version of a page is the main one.
What it means
A canonical URL tells Google which version of a page is the main one. In normal terms, it is one small part of how Google and people understand your site.
Why it matters
It stops duplicate or near-duplicate pages from competing with each other. This is common on ecommerce sites, filtered pages and campaign URLs.
What to do about it
Pick the page you want Google to rank, then point copies or variants back to it with a canonical tag. Do not canonical everything to the homepage.
Bloom's take
Bloom flags duplicate pages and tells you when a canonical URL is the right fix.
Related terms
Questions people ask
What is Canonical URL in simple terms?
A canonical URL tells Google which version of a page is the main one.
Does canonical url matter for SEO?
Yes, when it affects whether Google can understand, trust or show your page. It is not always the biggest job on the list, but it is worth fixing when it blocks traffic or confuses visitors.
How do I check canonical url on my site?
Start with the page itself, then use Google Search Console or a simple site scan. Look for the issue on important pages first, not every tiny page you have ever published.
Can Bloom help with canonical url?
Yes. Bloom turns this into a plain task when it matters. If it is technical or fiddly, you can also hand it to a Bloom specialist from inside the app.
Next step
Want this checked on your site? See Bloom services, or see how Bloom turns SEO issues into plain tasks.