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Glossary of Terms

We have compiled this list of terms and definitions to help you better understand the terminology used within the web development community.

Canonical Links

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A Canonical Links tells search engines which version of a page is the main one when similar content exists at multiple URLs. This prevents duplicate content confusion and makes sure ranking signals are credited to the right page. It is one of the most important technical SEO tags to get right.

Canonical Links

A canonical link is a <link rel="canonical"> tag in the <head> of your HTML that tells search engines which URL is the "official" version of a page. When the same content is accessible at multiple URLs — through parameters, trailing slashes, HTTP vs. HTTPS, or syndication — the canonical tag prevents search engines from treating them as duplicates and ensures all ranking signals are consolidated on the correct page.

Why It Matters

  • Duplicate content dilutes ranking power. When search engines find the same content at multiple URLs, they have to guess which one to rank. Without a canonical tag, ranking signals (backlinks, engagement) get split across URLs instead of concentrated on one.
  • URLs multiply in unexpected ways. Tracking parameters, session IDs, print-friendly versions, sort orders, and pagination can all generate unique URLs for identical or near-identical content. It adds up fast.
  • It protects against content scraping. If another site republishes your content and includes your canonical tag, search engines know your page is the original. This helps protect your ranking even when others copy your work.
  • It simplifies your index. Canonical tags help search engines focus their crawl budget on the pages that matter, rather than wasting time indexing duplicate variations of the same content.

How to Get It Right

  1. Add a canonical tag to every page. Each page should have a <link rel="canonical" href="/https://example.com/preferred-url"> in the <head>. Self-referencing canonicals (pointing to the current URL) are a best practice — they confirm intent even when no duplicates exist.
  2. Use absolute URLs. Always use the full URL with protocol and domain: https://example.com/page instead of just /page. Relative URLs can introduce ambiguity.
  3. Be consistent with your preferred URL format. Decide whether your canonical URLs use www or not, trailing slashes or not, and HTTPS. Then stick with that format everywhere.
  4. Canonical paginated content carefully. Each page in a paginated series should canonicalize to itself, not to page one. Pointing all pages at page one tells search engines to ignore the content on pages two, three, and beyond.
  5. Set canonical via HTTP headers for non-HTML content. For PDFs, images, or other files that cannot contain a <head> section, you can send the canonical URL in an HTTP Link header instead.

Common Mistakes

  • Pointing canonical tags at the wrong page. Accidentally canonicalizing a product page to the homepage — or a blog post to a category page — tells search engines to ignore one of your pages entirely.
  • Using canonical as a redirect. A canonical tag is a suggestion, not a redirect. Search engines may still index the non-canonical URL. If you truly want to redirect, use a 301 redirect instead.
  • Having multiple canonical tags. If a page contains more than one <link rel="canonical"> tag (often from conflicting CMS plugins), search engines may ignore both. Ensure only one exists per page.
  • Canonicalizing to a page that returns a 404 or redirect. If the target URL does not resolve cleanly, the canonical signal is wasted. Always verify your canonical URLs are live and returning a 200 status.
Bottom Line: Every page should have a canonical tag pointing to its preferred URL. Use absolute URLs, be consistent with your URL format, and double-check that the target URL actually works. It is a small tag with an outsized impact on how search engines understand your site.
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Synonyms: Rel Canonical, Master Link

What Does "Liquid Purple" mean?

noun | / LIK-wid PUR-pul /

  1. (biochemistry) Also known as visual purple or rhodopsin — a light-sensitive receptor protein found in the rods of the retina. It enables vision in dim light by transforming invisible darkness into visible form. Derived from the Greek rhódon (rose) and ópsis (sight), its name reflects its delicate pink hue and vital role in perception.

  2. (modern usage) Liquid Purple — a digital marketing agency specializing in uncovering unseen opportunities and illuminating brands hidden in the digital dark. Much like its biological namesake, Liquid Purple transforms faint signals into clear visibility — revealing what others overlook and bringing businesses into the light.

Origin: From the scientific term rhodopsin, discovered by Franz Christian Boll in 1876; adopted metaphorically by a marketing firm dedicated to visual clarity in the age of algorithms.

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For over 20 years, Liquid Purple has been headquartered in the heart of Southern California, serving clients across Irvine, Newport Beach, Anaheim, and the greater Los Angeles area. While we are proud of our local roots, our digital reach extends far beyond our local area. We support businesses in major hubs like Denver, Dallas, New York, and Miami, as well as international clients. Our ability to operate across time zones means you can often wake up to completed tasks and progress updates—keeping your business moving while you sleep.