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    4. Alternate page with proper canonical tag Status: Excluded in Google webmaster tools.

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    Alternate page with proper canonical tag Status: Excluded in Google webmaster tools.

    Intermediate & Advanced SEO
    canonical google webmaster
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    • Alancito
      Alancito Subscriber last edited by HayleyBowyer

      In Google Webmaster Tools, I have a coverage issue. I am getting this error message: Alternate page with proper canonical tag Status: Excluded.

      It gives the below blog post page as an example. Any idea how to resolve? At one time, I was using handl utm grabber, but the plugin is deactivated on my website.

      https://www.savacations.com/turrialba-costa-ricas-garden-city/?utm_source=deleted&utm_medium=deleted&utm_term=deleted&utm_content=deleted&utm_campaign=deleted&gclid=deleted5.

      Pediasales 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • ShounPoloack
        ShounPoloack last edited by

        I was also facing the same issue in Google web Master on my following page:
        https://getsassastatus.co.za/sassa-payment-date/

        If you have resolved the issue plz let me know it might be helpful for me.
        Thanks

        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • Pediasales
          Pediasales @Alancito last edited by

          @Alancito I am also getting the same in
          mypropertypedia

          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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