When dealing with the “Duplicate, submitted URL not selected as canonical” issue in Google Search Console, it often indicates that Google’s algorithms have selected a different URL as the canonical one—this may not align with your intentions. Here’s how you can address this issue, especially in the context of international SEO:
Understand Google’s Canonical Selection: Google selects a canonical URL to consolidate similar content. This is based on various factors like page content, structure, and meta tags. It’s essential first to confirm that these pages aren’t perceived as duplicates by examining their content, language, and metadata.
Canonical Tag Implementation: Ensure that each page has a properly implemented canonical tag pointing to the correct URL. For international sites, make sure your hreflang tags are correctly configured to signal the regional or language version of your content. This helps Google understand the intended audience for each version of the page.
Review and Optimize Check if the content across different URLs is sufficiently unique. Even slight variations in content, metadata, and headers can help differentiate pages. Localize content appropriately for international versions to make each page distinct.
XML Sitemap and Internal Linking: Ensure your XML sitemap lists the correct canonical URLs. Also, check your site’s internal linking structure to ensure links point to the URLs you wish to be indexed as the canonical pages. This reinforces your canonical preferences to Google.
URL Inspection Tool: Use the URL Inspection Tool in Google Search Console to check the canonical URL picked by Google for a specific page. If a different URL is selected, Google believes this version is more relevant or authoritative.
Consider URL Parameters: If your website uses parameters in URLs, ensure that these are configured properly in Google Search Console, signaling whether they affect the content.
Wait for Re-crawling and Re-indexing: After making changes, be patient as it can take some time for Google to re-crawl and re-index your pages reflecting your canonical preferences.
Monitor and Adjust: Continuously monitor the affected URLs and adjust strategies as necessary. International SEO can be complex, given the interplay of language and regional variety, thus requiring ongoing attention.
This systematic approach can help ensure that your URLs are selected as canonical and are indexed correctly, improving your site’s visibility for international audiences.
One response to “Resolving “Duplicate, Submitted URL Not Selected as Canonical” for Non-duplicate Pages in International SEO”
Thank you for this comprehensive guide on addressing the “Duplicate, submitted URL not selected as canonical” issue, particularly in the context of international SEO. You’ve highlighted key steps that are crucial for ensuring that Google understands our content correctly.
I’d like to add that beyond optimizing the technical aspects you mentioned, it’s important to consider the user experience as part of the strategy. For international audiences, cultural nuances can significantly impact how content is perceived and accepted. Therefore, localizing not only the language but also the tone, imagery, and cultural references can make a huge difference in engagement and relevance.
Also, consistently monitoring user behavior on these pages can provide insights into whether your audience is finding the content relevant. Tools like Google Analytics can help track this, allowing you to make informed adjustments as user preferences evolve.
Lastly, collaborating with regional experts or local content creators could provide additional perspectives on how to optimize those pages effectively. This holistic approach of combining technical SEO with local expertise may enhance your site’s authority and rankings on a global scale. What are your thoughts on integrating user feedback into the optimization process?