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exist SEO In optimization, the canonical URL and theredirectsChain (Redirect Chain) are two important technical concepts. Improper handling can affect page ranking, crawl efficiency and weight transfer. With the Ahrefs tool, these issues can be quickly identified and resolved to improve overall site health.
This article describes the definitions of these two terms, how they work, and how they are actually used in Ahrefs.
![Image[1]-Canonical URLs and the Redirect Chain: A Practical Guide to Ahrefs](http://gqxi.cn/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/20250830140840567-image.png)
I. What is a Canonical URL?
1.1 Definitions and roles
A Canonical URL is a link to a "master version of a page" that helps search engines determine which of multiple duplicate or similar pages is actually the version that needs to be indexed and ranked.
When there are multiple pages with duplicate or similar content, search engines may find it difficult to determine the location of the main page, resulting in wasted crawling resources and ranking confusion. Canonical tags can convey clear page prioritization.
![Image[2]-Canonical URL and Redirect Chain: A Practical Guide to Ahrefs](http://gqxi.cn/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/20250830140958896-image.png)
1.2 Canonical Tag Formatting in HTML
Canonical links are usually written on pages <head> in the block in the following format:
<link rel="canonical" >
The above writeup indicates that the address of the master version of the current page is https://ahrefs.com/blog/seo-metrics/, search engines should focus page weight on that link.
![Image [3]-Canonical URL and Redirect Chain Explained: A Practical Guide to Ahrefs](http://gqxi.cn/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/20250830141108585-image.png)
1.3 Description of utilization scenarios
- There are multiple URL Parameter pages (e.g., tracking codes, filter items)
- Desktop and mobile page content is the same
- Duplicate product pages, overlapping pagination content
- Presence of historical versions or mirrored pages
1.4 Methods for Finding Canonical URLs in Ahrefs
Approach I: Site Explorer Module
When analyzing a page in Site Explorer, if the page uses the canonical tag, the link type is marked.
For example, when viewing backlinks (BacklinksIf a link points to a non-canonical page, Ahrefs will also show the address of the main page.
![Image [4]-Canonical URLs and Redirect Chain Explained: A Practical Guide to Ahrefs](http://gqxi.cn/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/20250830141152690-image.png)
Approach 2: Backlinks Report Screening
In the Backlinks report, you can add a filter to select "Pages that use canonical tags".
![Image [5]-Canonical URLs and Redirect Chain Explained: A Practical Guide to Ahrefs](http://gqxi.cn/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/20250830141201878-image.png)
Approach III: Site Audit Module
After opening the Site Crawler Analysis report, go to Page ExplorerYou can quickly see all pages that use canonical by selecting "Canonicalized" in the filtering options.
![Image [6]-Canonical URLs and Redirect Chain Explained: A Practical Guide to Ahrefs](http://gqxi.cn/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/20250830141209685-image.png)
Second, what is Redirect Chain (redirect chain)?
2.1 Definitions and Sources of Problems
Redirect Chain refers to a page that needs to go through several hops to reach the final destination page. For example:
Page A → jump to B → jump again to C (final page)
![Image [7]-Canonical URLs and the Redirect Chain Explained: A Practical Guide to Ahrefs](http://gqxi.cn/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/20250830141305819-image.png)
![Image [8]-Canonical URLs and the Redirect Chain Explained: A Practical Guide to Ahrefs](http://gqxi.cn/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/20250830141357807-image.png)
This jump chain can lead to the following problems:
- Increase page load time
- Consuming search engine crawling budgets
- Reduced page weight transfer efficiency
- Increased risk of chain breakage
2.2 Illustrative examples
Some external link points to ahrefs.com, but the final jump landing page is:
https://ahrefs.com/blog/find-competitors-backlinks
If there are two jumps in between, this constitutes a typical Redirect Chain.
2.3 Finding the Redirect Chain in Ahrefs
Method 1: Link Class Report in Site Explorer
Filtering can be done in the following modules:
- Backlinks
- Broken backlinks
- Outgoing links
- Calendar reports, etc.
Operational Steps:
- Click on "+ More filters" to add filters.
![Image [9]-Canonical URLs and the Redirect Chain Explained: A Practical Guide to Ahrefs](http://gqxi.cn/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/20250830141429859-image.png)
- Find the "No. of redirects" item in the "Target Page".
![Image [10]-Canonical URLs and the Redirect Chain Explained: A Practical Guide to Ahrefs](http://gqxi.cn/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/20250830141438262-image.png)
- Select "Redirect chain" and click "Show results".
![Image [11]-Canonical URLs and the Redirect Chain Explained: A Practical Guide to Ahrefs](http://gqxi.cn/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/20250830141445583-image.png)
- The system lists all pages with redirect chains in the target link
![Image [12]-Canonical URLs and the Redirect Chain Explained: A Practical Guide to Ahrefs](http://gqxi.cn/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/20250830141458759-image.png)
Method 2: Site Audit Module
- First perform a full crawler scan of the site
- Go to Redirects Category
- If there is a jump chain on the page, the system will automatically flag it.
![Image [13]-Canonical URLs and the Redirect Chain Explained: A Practical Guide to Ahrefs](http://gqxi.cn/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/20250830141522441-image.png)
Method 3: Use Ahrefs SEO Toolbar plugin
If a browser plug-in is installed:
- Click on any link and wait for the page to finish loading
- Click on the toolbar icon and go to the "HTTP headers" tab.
- You can view the jump path,HTTP Status code and final landing page address
![Image [14]-Canonical URLs and the Redirect Chain Explained: A Practical Guide to Ahrefs](http://gqxi.cn/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/20250830141546257-image.png)
III. Summary: Why are these details noteworthy?
Setting Canonical URLs properly helps to resolve duplicate content conflicts and avoid weight dispersion.
Clearing the Redirect Chain improves load speed and reduces crawl waste.
leverage Ahrefs Provides visualization tools and screening system, site problem identification efficiency is higher, subsequent optimization is more targeted.
Link to this article:http://gqxi.cn/en/75450The article is copyrighted and must be reproduced with attribution.
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