How to add canonical tag

[ge0173400]

Hi,

I read through many of the forum questions dealing with the overly dynamic URLS  and I think I understand. Please let me know if I know what I am talking about:

If SEO moz is saying I have 20 pages (mostly search and home/index pages) with overly dynamic urls, I would go to the that particular page and add the following code between the head tag:

This code would cause Google to go to this page instead of the following duplicate index pages:

1. http://www.about-sports-collectibles.com/index.php?pcsid=0a83aa7119cf3d80a1d018634ec4ec94&p

2.  http://www.about-sports-collectibles.com/index.php?pcsid=18b220fc62628b013a51c6f26209df50&p

There are a total of about 8 of these index pages.

The problem is that I can't figure out where I would access each of these duplicate pages to add the canonical tag. There is only one home page with coding.

As far as the search pages are concerned, I would not want Google to follow those pages would I? If that is the case, what would be the best code to add between the tags?

For instance here are a couple of the overly-dynamic URL pages for the search pages:

1. http://www.about-sports-collectibles.com/index.php?p=catalog&mode=search&search_in=all&search_str=

2. http://www.about-sports-collectibles.com/index.php?pcsid=50354d5791e627dc2be6c86528154a5e&p=catalog&mode=search

I hope I am not overwhelming anyone with my questions. I really am trying to get a handle on how Ll this stuff works.

Thanks so much the help.

Don

[ge0173400]

Thanks Chris.

I Appreciate your help.

Don

[HandsomeWeb]

Yes, you would add the canonical link element:

to the 20 pages that are the same as your home page.  But I think they are all the same page, so you don't have to look far.  The pcsid looks like a session id, so if you can add the canonical link element to index.php, it will appear in all displays of the home page.  It is OK if the canonical link element on a page points to itself.

Notice that index.php is used for search results and shopping cart pages also.  So adding it to index.php may add it to all your search pages and cart pages. But do you want those pages indexed?  If not, then the element is OK on these pages.

WARNING

Your product pages do not display index.php, but I am assuming they are dynamically generated.  If they are, you may end up with the canonical link element on every page of your site.  If your software can't handle that differently, you will be better off without the canonical link element.

Use an XML Sitemap

NOTE: Use an XML sitemap, and submit it on Google Webmaster Tools (and similar at other engines).  If the URL is on the sitemap, it should get preference over a URL not on the sitemap.

Currently on Google

You sites listings don't show any pcsid numbers, so the duplicate content issue may not be a big problem.  You do, however, want credit when someone links to your page and add a pcsid in their linking url.

If your shopping cart provider does not have a way for you to fix this, urge them to add it.