Does it matter if a rel = "canonical" element is added to the beginning or the end of a URL?

[Sharecare]

I am curious to know if adding a rel = "canonical" tag to the end of a link element will affect its purpose?

[ninjamarketer]

Not exactly sure if this is what you are talking about.

rel="canonical" href="http://www.example.com/product.php?item=swedish-fish"/>

AND

rel="canonical"/>

is the same.

[CPU]

I have only ever seen it used in the first format in ninjamarketers post and when it is recommended as a course of action on SEO sites and in SEO books it is also in that format.

[Luke22]

It doesn't matter at all.. in my opinion and would be shocked to find im wrong...

easy test... add ALT element to any picture.. .before and after SRC... if it works properly in both situation, the same should be with rel canonical...

if you are still wondering about proper use.. always you can validate your document on W3C.org... it would point it out I guess.