Should i use rel=canonical tags on similar product pages?

[Wick3dChic]

This post is deleted!

[AU-SEO]

Are they actually two different products? If yes, is it possible additional descriptive content top be added to the page to differentiate them? Are they using dynamic URL variables or unique human readable text URLs? i.e. www.company.com/product?id=1234 vs. www.company.com/product/vitamins/bcaa-gelatin-capsules.

If you are using URL variables ensure they are set correctly via your Google/Bing Webmaster Tools account.

I would not recommend placing the canonical tags unless they are actually an identical product. Identify additional opportunities to input unique content relative to each product. Image Alt Tags and File names inclusive.

[RobertFisher]

Well said!

[Wick3dChic]

the only major difference between the products is the kind of capsule we use to keep them in. other than that, the page content is exactly the same. the only differences i've seen are the urls, the page title, and 1 link pointing to the alternate form of the product (gel caps product page has a link to veg caps, and vise versa)
we aren't using dynamic url variables, they appear as http://company.com/bcaa-gelatin-capsules

it's starting to sound better in the long run if we just merged them to be on the same page...

[AU-SEO]

If they are the same product with a different capsule I would think about just treating it as a clothing retailer would treat a different color of a shirt, Same page different option. By reinforcing the core content to a single page you can leverage that weight vs, splitting it amongst certain pages. I am not familier with your industry or search keywords related to vegetarian vs. Gelatin. I would look into that. If there is any large volume of content related to Vegetarian vs. the actually vitamin content I would target your content there.

[Wick3dChic]

thanks for the help (and good analogy). looks like it's time to start testing a few  combined pages