Canonical url for paged?

Anwsering in case someone else might need it.

add_filter( 'the_seo_framework_rel_canonical_output', function( $url, $id ) {
    
    if (is_paged()) {
        $current_url="//".$_SERVER['HTTP_HOST'].$_SERVER['REQUEST_URI'];
        return $current_url;
    }

    return $url;
}, 10, 2 );

Hi Nikodemsky!

That filter defeats how TSF curates its canonical URL. I can now add random stuff to any of your paginated pages, post those links, and Google/Bing will index them. Less nefariously, your site might generate those links by accident. The moment you output a canonical URL, you “avouch” that the requested URL is “purposive.” So, it’d actually be better to disable the canonical URL so search engines can decide for themselves if a link is duplicated/intended.

Please note that TSF v4.2.0 had a regression where it didn’t correctly generate paginated URLs for categories — I resolved this in TSF v4.2.1 two weeks later. So, I recommend updating first.

If you already use TSF v4.2.1+, then it seems the pagination you implemented is not registered with WordPress, but only with the plugin generating it — Kadence Blocks is one offender that comes to mind.

Consider using WordPress’s native pagination, which will work with any theme, (SEO) plugin, block, etc.

Alternatively, I recommend using this filter:

add_filter( 'the_seo_framework_rel_canonical_output', function( $url, $id ) {

    if ( is_paged() )
        return '';

    return $url;
}, 10, 2 );

I hope this helps! Cheers ??

I have tried above filter, but then source doesn’t show any canonical url at all for paginated pages :\

Hi Nikodemsky,

That’s the goal of it. It’s better to have no canonical URL than to have an exploitable one.

It’d be good to communicate this issue with the plugin/theme authors that implemented the pagination, as well.

I’m using WP-PageNavi – but i don’t think it modifies canonical urls.

The thing came from client’s SEO firm, i’m not questioning how it should be because i don’t really know :>

How should i approach it to make the whole thing less exploitable?