Understanding Canonicalization Challenges Across Multiple Ecommerce Domains: A Case Study
In the world of ecommerce, maintaining clear and accurate search engine indexing is crucial for driving traffic and maximizing visibility. However, challenges often arise when multiple websites with similar structures and content are involved. One common issue is Google selecting a single domain as the canonical version of numerous similar sites, which can impede proper indexing of individual domains.
Background Scenario
Consider a portfolio of several ecommerce websites, all built on the SuiteCommerce Advanced (SCA) platform by NetSuite. These sites, while sharing the same underlying technical framework, differ in branding, logos, color schemes, product categories, and specific content. Each site operates under its own unique domain, with distinct visual identity and targeted audience.
Initially, these sites were indexed independently by Google, allowing each to rank for relevant searches. However, following an upgrade to their platform and some site modifications, a new issue emerged: Google began consistently selecting only the first site to receive the upgrade as the canonical version for all related sites. Consequently, despite proper implementation of rel=”canonical” tags, unique page titles, and schema markup, Google continues to favor this single domain in search results.
Technical Details
- All sites are built on the same platform (SuiteCommerce Advanced), with similar layouts but customized branding.
- Each site maintains unique branding, content, and products.
- Proper SEO tags such as rel=”canonical,” unique page titles, and schema markup are implemented across all sites.
- Google’s URL inspection tools confirm that each site renders with its own content when accessed directly.
The Core Issue
Despite these measures, Google seems to prioritize the first upgraded site as the canonical version for all related URLs. This behavior indicates a possible underlying problem with canonicalization signals or Google’s interpretation of them across multiple similar sites.
Potential Causes and Considerations
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Canonical Tag Implementation: Ensure that each page on each domain points to its own URL as the canonical version. Even subtle inconsistencies or duplicate tags can cause confusion.
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Cross-Domain Canonicalization: When multiple sites are similar, specifying canonical URLs across different domains might lead Google to consolidate signals toward the earliest or most authoritative domain.
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Sitemaps and Internal Linking: Verify that sitemaps and internal linking structures clearly distinguish each site. Ensure that each sitemap only references pages from its respective domain.
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Server and Redirect Settings: Check for any redirects or server configurations that might inadvertently