Canonical tags and 301 redirects are both used to redirect search engines to a different URL for certain. But both are entirely different and essential components of search engines. Search Engine Optimisation is essential in elevating your website rank on SERP results. Canonical tags and 301 redirects are on-site SEO elements that influence search results. You need it for several reasons and it is especially true if you are running a business. In this blog, you will see why use canonical tags in SEO and all about 301 redirect vs canonical tag.

What is a canonical tag?
Canonical tag is used to manage duplicate content on your websites to help search engines in selection with the right web page for indexing. The tag has got many aliases and is generally known as rel canonical attribute. When it comes to on-page SEO, it has got huge importance as it can increase your engagement ratio, avoid penalties from search engines to duplicate content and after all improve your search ranking. Now you have an idea why use canonical tags in your SEO efforts.
Why use canonical tags
We have covered some of the benefits of canonical tags except these:
1. First of all, it exclusively indicates a specific version of a web page to be indexed among nearly similar or duplicate content.
2. It builds trust as a brand because you will be providing the best content for the target.
3. Consolidation of page rank is another benefit so that your link equity will not be adversely affected.
4. Management of syndicated content aids in promoting the original content published.
5. Improve crawling and indexing experience as search engines can effectively crawl your web pages. In this way, Google crawling load on the website can be slashed.
How to initiate a canonical tag?
With the help of an experienced web developer, you can include canonical tag. If you are using a SEO plug-in, you can implement a canonical tag with that. The use of self-referring canonical tags, implementation of absolute URLs, cross-domain duplicates are some of the best canonical URL implementations. A well-defined example for canonical tag will be: example.com/dresses/1234
What is a 301 redirect?
What is a 301 redirect and how it differ from a canonical tag? Unlike canonical tags, the use of 301 direct is used to redirect users to a web page for permanent reasons. Maybe you have included a new landing page and moved the old URL. Or the website might have been revamped. When to use 301 redirect depends on your business unique circumstances. It comes across as part of the HTTP status code that tells your web browser the requested page has been moved permanently to another location. By editing your website a developer can initiate 301 redirect.
What is a 301 redirect usage?
The following are the specific usage of 301 redirects and when to use 301 redirect depends on your specific website needs:
1. 301 redirects apply to the server-side and used to move your entire website into a new domain
2. Redirect an obsolete URL to the new one
3. It helps you preserve your SEO authority
4. Consolidation of page rank is another benefit so that your link equity will not be adversely affected.
5. Duplicate free, instant and up-to-date content can be accessed via search engines
6. To change your website’s sub folders URL can be executed with a 301 redirect
7. It increases your brand authority
8. If you are merely shifting from HTTP to HTTPS
9. It helps you retain your existing customers as well as get new ones
10. It provides reassured traffic from old URL to new one
How to initiate a 301 redirect?
301 redirects can be initiated in many ways using your website settings as well as you can use any SEO plugins. Redirection to relevant pages, updation of internal links and external links, exclusion of 404 errors and testing of all redirects are the best practices of 301 redirects. A perfect example of 301 redirect will be the old URL ‘https://www.example.com/old1234.html,’ to a new web page https://www.example.com/new.
301 redirect vs Canonical Tag
301 redirect vs canonical tag is a question for businesses as well as digital marketers for some time.
Canonical Tag
- You can specify canonical tas and search engines can either choose it or not
- Canonical tag act as duplicate removal of same web pages
- It is used for management of URLs
- It is added to the HTML code of on website
- It prevents duplicate catastrophes on a website
- It act as a hint for search engines to select a web page
- It is ideal for if you are undergoing a website rebranding or website migration from one domain to another
301 Redirects
- Search engines understand it is a permanent removal of a URL
- 301 redirects is an official redirection of an old web page to a new address
- It is used to management of URLs
- It is added to the server-side
- It is used to direct a URL to new locations
- It is a clear direction both for users and search engines.
- It is really helpful for people with navigation
So you have got an idea why to use canonical tags and when to use 301 redirects when you employ SEO tactics. It is up to the current business needs and specific technical seo audit times. It is easy to learn both redirects and appropriate use to benefit SEO in many areas. Both are essential characteristics of on-page SEO optimization.
Interpreting when and where to use 301 redirect vs canonical tag question will no more bother you as you have gained the primary differences and distinct use from this blog. To effectively manage SEO needs both at appropriate times. Canonical tags use is entirely for searchengines and 301 redirects benefit the end-user. Your website’s authority and brand equity as a business can be elevated using both these tags in a well-defined manner. The thing you need to make sure the hired SEO agency is well-versed in on-page as well as off-page optimization.
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