Canonical URL to downloadable docuemnts

#940683
  • Resolved Ravit

    11 months, 2 weeks ago

    Rank Math free

    In Google Search Console, several URLs were marked as “Duplicate without user-selected canonical”. However, these URLs are not pages but rather PDF files that can be downloaded from a single page on my website. Here is an example of one of these URLs: https://miniyut.org/wp-content/uploads/Guide-Intimacy-exercises-Oct24.pdf
    If I understand correctly, in order to solve the issue, I need to set a Canonical URL to these PDF files. I followed the instructions given by your AI, but was not successful.

    RankMath is in Advanced mode. Bulk Editing option is Enabled. Redirect Attachments option is Disabled.
    Media library is in List View. Screen options is fine.
    I clicked on the PDF document (also tried clicking the Edit option), but couldn’t find RankMath Meta Box in order to set a Canonical URL.

    Can you kindly advise?
    Thanks
    Ravit

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)
  • Miguel

    11 months, 2 weeks ago

    Hello,

    Thank you for contacting support.

    You cannot set canonicals on PDFs, that is technically not possible, and not limited to our plugin.

    The issue you are seeing is because Google is likely seeing the PDF version as a duplicate of another piece of content already available on the pages of your website.

    You could try to add a noindex HTTP header on the PDF files, but that cannot be done with an SEO plugin as those need to be added to the server configuration file directly. The SEO plugins can only add that data inside the HTML metadata and that is not generated for PDFs.

    Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any other questions.

    Ravit

    11 months, 2 weeks ago

    Rank Math free

    Thank you Miguel.
    I would therefore suggest that you advise your AI team to make modification, since the AI insisted that Canonicals can be added to the PDF files.
    You can close this case,
    Thanks again and happy new year.
    Ravit

    Princess

    11 months, 2 weeks ago

    Hello,

    Happy New Year to you too.

    We cannot add a canonical URL to PDF’s. But we are going to send this feedback suggestion directly to the developers. I can’t guarantee it will be checked in a short span, but rest assured that our devs will see this message and check AI suggestions.

    Please do not hesitate to let us know if this doesn’t help or you have any follow-up queries.

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)

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