About the Issue
When Google Search Console (GSC) reports the issue “Duplicate, Google chose different canonical than user,” it means that Google has identified two or more pages with similar or identical content. In such cases, Google decides which page to consider as the primary one (the canonical URL), which might be different from the one you have specified.
Why Does This Happen?
This usually happens when:
- Similar Content: When pages have similar or identical content, Google considers them to be duplicates.
- Different URLs: The same content is accessed through different URLs, such as a www and non-www version of the same page, making Google treat them as duplicates.
- Duplicate Content with Varying Importance: Google may consider one page to be more important than another, even if they have duplicate content, and choose the more significant page as the canonical.
- URL Changes: If a page’s URL has changed but the old URL is still indexed by Google, Google might select the old URL as the canonical.
Checking the Issue
To understand which URLs are affected and how Google has handled them:
1. Inspect the URLs: Use the URL Inspection tool in GSC to see which URL you have set as canonical and which one Google has chosen.
2. Determine Fixes: Based on your inspection, decide what changes are necessary to resolve the issue.
Steps to Fix the Issue
1. Make Content Unique:
- If two pages have very similar content, modify one of the pages to make its content unique. This helps Google distinguish between the pages and recognize them as separate, valuable resources.
- For instance, add new sections, update the information, or target different keywords.
2. Remove Unnecessary Duplicate Pages:
- Sometimes, a single page might have been duplicated accidentally. If the reported URL is not needed, simply remove it.
- Ensure that the remaining page has a clear and correct canonical tag.
3. Ensure Proper Canonical Tags:
- Make sure each page on your site has the correct canonical tag pointing to itself or the intended canonical URL.
- Use the <link rel=”canonical” href=”URL“> tag in the HTML of your pages.
4. Use 301 Redirects:
- If the duplicate page is not needed, set up a 301 redirect to point it to the canonical page. This tells search engines that the page has permanently moved to the new URL.
- This helps consolidate link equity and signals to Google which page to prioritize.
5. Check for URL Parameters:
- Sometimes, URL parameters can cause duplicate content issues. Ensure that your canonical tags point to the correct version of the page, regardless of any parameters.
Additional Tips
After making the necessary changes:
- Request Indexing: If you’ve changed the content of the reported URL then request re-indexing of the affected pages to expedite the process.
- Monitor the Status: Keep an eye on GSC to ensure that the issue is resolved and doesn’t recur.
Conclusion
Dealing with “Duplicate, Google chose different canonical than user” can seem daunting, but it’s manageable with the right approach. By ensuring your content is unique, using proper canonical tags, and removing unnecessary duplicates, you can help Google index the correct pages and improve your site’s SEO.
