rel=canonical
Selects the preferred indexable URL for this content.
Canonical & Hreflang Checker
Canonical & Hreflang Checker
Check canonical URLs, language targeting and search-engine indexing signals.
Example: Enter a specific page URL. The checker reads the final HTML and Link response header.
No check started
Enter a page URL, then click Run check.
INTERNATIONAL SEO
What are canonical and hreflang tags?
A canonical tag tells search engines which URL is the preferred version among similar or duplicate pages. It consolidates link signals and reduces wasted crawling.
Hreflang connects equivalent pages for different languages or regions. Each version should publish the same complete set, include itself and optionally provide x-default for unmatched users.
hreflang
Connects equivalent pages for a language or region.
x-default
Provides a fallback when no listed language matches.
Why check both signals together?
Canonical and hreflang jointly influence which URL search engines index and where it appears. Conflicting targets, noindex directives or missing self-references can cause the hreflang set to be ignored.
Consolidate canonical URLs
Find missing, duplicate, cross-domain and non-self canonical declarations.
Validate language targeting
Check language codes, targets, self-references, duplicates and x-default.
Find indexing conflicts
Combine redirects, HTTP status, HTML lang and noindex into one diagnosis.
How does the checker work?
The tool reads public HTML and response headers for the current page. It does not modify the site or store a historical record.
- 01
Fetch safely
Resolve public IPs and limit redirects, time, compressed input and page size.
- 02
Parse canonical signals
Extract every canonical from HTML and HTTP Link headers.
- 03
Check language links
Validate hreflang codes, URLs, self-references, duplicates and x-default.
- 04
Produce index actions
Combine status, noindex and redirects into practical recommendations.
How to read the result
A self-referencing canonical is the most stable default. Cross-domain or non-self canonicals may be intentional consolidation or may remove the current page from indexing. Hreflang is complete only when alternate pages return the relationship.
Self-referencing
The preferred URL matches the final page and reinforces a clear index target.
Points elsewhere
Review whether consolidation to another URL is intentional.
hreflang
Every language page should publish the same reciprocal set.
Canonical and hreflang FAQ
Should every indexable page have a canonical?
Yes, this is generally recommended. Unique pages usually self-reference; duplicate variants point to the preferred indexable URL.
Can a canonical use a relative URL?
Browsers can resolve one, but an absolute HTTPS URL is more reliable across environments, base tags and crawlers.
Must hreflang include the current page?
Yes. Every language version should include itself and provide return links to the other versions.
Is x-default required?
No, but it is useful for language selectors, global homepages and users who do not match a listed language.
Should canonical and hreflang point to different pages?
Each language page normally canonicals to itself and uses hreflang for alternates. Canonicalizing all languages to one version conflicts with language targeting.
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