SEO Tycoon

**shennon** · 03-03-2009, 05:17 AM

Hey Guys,

Google has recently released a new type of <link> attribute. It's the rel="canonical" attribute. This attribute is used to specify a preferred domain, so that Google bots don't penalize you for duplicate content.

This is very useful for dynamic sites and forums.

Read more here: googlewebmastercentral.blogspot.com/2009/02/specify-your-canonical.html

**chrishirst** · 03-03-2009, 08:15 AM

Quote:

so that Google bots don't penalize you for duplicate content.

Given that there is no penalty for duplicate content of course.

**Feydakin** · 03-03-2009, 09:47 AM

And it has nothing to do with preferred domains..

It allows you to specify a preferred "page" within your domain.. Nothing more.. It's of some using in CMS like WordPress to allow you to specify one page at the "right page" in situations where you might include a page in several categories..

Instead of having all these pages listed : category1/coolpage.php category2/coolpage.php category3/coolpage.php as possible duplicates in the index you can specify category1/coolpage as the chosen one and helping Google avoid any possible duplicate page issue..

In my opinion its simply another example of Google's inability to do what they claim to be the best in the world at doing, collecting, organizing and presenting all the world's data.. Its easier for them to ask webmasters to solve the problem for them leading to a co-dependance that I don't think is healthy for the internet as a whole..

**VirtuosiMedia** · 03-03-2009, 06:19 PM

It might also highlight some inabilities of CMS makers...

**full house** · 03-03-2009, 08:30 PM

Quote:

It's the rel="canonical" attribute. This attribute is used to specify a preferred domain, so that Google bots don't penalize you for duplicate content.

its sounds good, you don't get penalize by duplicate content using that attribute.I'll try it.

**Feydakin** · 03-03-2009, 10:19 PM

Why do I have this nearly irresistible urge to scream that its NOT a penalty!!! Its a filter..

Of course I bet almost no one listens..

**totoweb** · 03-04-2009, 12:44 AM

Yes, it is very useful for dynamic sites and forums.

**Generator** · 03-04-2009, 02:21 PM

Hmm... if I read this right it's pretty cool, except for those of us who use affiliate programs that people who don't use nofollow are also in. Going to be a little harder to rank for some of that stuff if they can just send all the juice to the non-referral page

Ah well

**full house** · 03-04-2009, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Why do I have this nearly irresistible urge to scream that its NOT a penalty!!! Its a filter..

Of course I bet almost no one listens..

some clarification here! its not penalty it only filter. . . but how cam you say that? did you experience it?

**Feydakin** · 03-04-2009, 08:43 PM

I can say that because that is what Google calls it.. Google is very very very leary of passing out penalties, especially when it is something that another site does and not yours..

So, instead of giving you credit for the duplicate content, they simply ignore it.. If you could be "penalized" for duplicate content your competition would be making exact copies of your website all over the place trying to get you banned..

**chrishirst** · 03-05-2009, 05:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by full house

some clarification here! its not penalty it only filter. . . but how cam you say that? did you experience it?

So should we take it that you don't actually read threads before posting in them?

http://www.webmaster-talk.com/the-go...tml#post736880

http://www.webmaster-talk.com/the-go...tml#post741183