Google Releases A Statement Regarding Support For Its Cross-Domain Canonicals

In recent news, Google has offered an explanation to clarify its support regarding its cross-domain canonical link element, also referred to as simply canonical.

The giant pointed out that there are various limitations when using it, further elaborating on when the cross-domain canonicals should be used and where they should be avoided.

In this week, Google also wanted to publish several updates for various of its pages at the same time. it also wanted to ensure that the guidance for cross-domain canonicals was also released.

However, both communications were sent out in a staggered manner, causing much confusion. People were wondering whether Google was still going to provide support for cross-domain canonicals.

Two primary changes have been made by the giant, which include additional guidance regarding duplicate content. This was especially for new publishers, who are responsible for syndicating content in the Google News section.

The new update did not contain a change in Google’s policy. It only made the guidance clearer on how to avoid chances of duplication when syndicating the content.

Another change that Google gave clarification on was how the content could be blocked from showing up on Google News. This change was especially for publishers who use wire services to republish all their content.

These publishers are known to partner with others in the same field or use public domain services to do so. However, the new guidance discouraged them from using the canonical.

The original page previously provided a suggestion, saying that publishers could consider blocking or using a canonical when trying to republish content.

However, the new guidance simply asks them to think about blocking when republishing content. People have also been told that they can only use these suggestions as guidance. They are not a policy, nor a statement that needs to be abided by.

This is why the guidance contains the word ‘consider’, which is not the same as adhering to something or recommending that the publishers ‘must’ do it.

On the other hand, Google has made it clear that it is still in support of the canonical link element.

The giant explained that the cross-domain canonical has been designed to be used on a website and aid it in self-identifying what the canonical version of pages should look like.

It is also helpful when it comes to indicating whether there are near or exact duplicates of content or entire websites.

According to Google, it tries its best to support the canonical across several domains. But, it pointed out, this is not recommended for owners who are hoping to prevent duplication by partners they syndicate with.

This is mainly because the various syndicate partners usually have pages with vast differences. Thus, Google took to updating its guidance to provide better guidance.

As of now, the search engine has made it clear that it still supports those who are thinking of using cross-domain canonical link elements. This was done via a recent statement directed at all publishers, concerned with its Google News section.