Rel Canonical for Exact Same Copy?

[KempRugeLawGroup]

I've read about using rel canonical tags for product pages like "blue shorts" vs "red shorts" but if I have two pages with the exact same copy - different URL's - but same copy, can I use a rel canonical tag and be okay for duplicate content purposes?

(There is is reason the page is exactly the same, at least for the time being, so I'm just focusing on how not to be get penalized as opposed to rewriting it at the moment).

Thanks,

Ruben

[Eric_Rohrback]

Definitely use rel=canonical for situations like that. If there's a solid business case to keep the pages live (A/B testing layout?), then yeah definitely make sure both pages are canonicalized to one main page for search engines. That will also help keep the other variation out of the index as Google (and other bots) recognize that you have multiple variations, but only one page they should be paying attention to.

[LoganRay]

I second what Eric said.

Also, you'll want to be deliberate in choosing which one gets the canonical. Do some research on which one gets more traffic, has a higher page authority, and has good links pointing to it.

[KempRugeLawGroup]

Thanks guys.

• Ruben