"My client operates two websites, one for Canadian customers and one for US customers, both with .com domains. Google Search Console's indexing report shows that many pages are marked as duplicates and Google is cross canonicalizing them between the two domains. This is despite the presence of self-referencing canonical tags. Could this issue be due to both sites having .com domains, and would it be advisable for my client to switch the Canadian site's domain to .ca?"
It’s possible that Google is cross-canonicalizing your client’s websites due to the shared .com domain, even with the self-referencing canonical tags.
While having different domains (.com for US and .ca for Canada) can help Google better understand the intended audience for each site, it’s not a guaranteed fix. Google’s algorithms are complex and can prioritize various factors beyond domain extensions.
Here’s what you should consider:
- Content Duplication: Are the pages on both sites essentially identical, or are there significant differences in content tailored to the specific audience? If there’s substantial overlap, Google may perceive this as duplicate content, regardless of domain extension.
- Language and Regional Settings: Are language and regional settings correctly configured on each site, both in the code and content? Google uses these signals to differentiate between sites targeting different regions.
- HREFlang Tags: Implementing HREFlang tags can help Google understand the relationship between the two sites and target specific language and region variations.
Ultimately, the best approach is to analyze the specific issues Google is identifying in Search Console and address them directly. This could involve:
- Revisiting the Content: Ensure the Canadian site is distinctly Canadian, with unique content relevant to Canadian users.
- Refining Canonical Tags: Double-check that the tags are correctly implemented and point to the appropriate version of the page.
- Using HREFlang Tags: These tags can help Google understand the relationship between your client’s two sites and direct users to the correct version based on their location and language preferences.
- Contacting Google: If you’ve implemented all necessary measures and still face cross-canonicalization, reaching out to Google Search Console support for further assistance might be beneficial.
By addressing these factors, you can increase the likelihood of Google correctly identifying the target audience for each site and avoid cross-canonicalization issues.