Canonical vs 301 for index.php

[advertisingcloud]

Hello, we found recently quite a big error  our index.php file had no canonical tag nor was a 301 redirect. So we put a canonical tag to it that it's the main www.examle.com duplicate . Now is there any difference in regards to link juice or Google 301 vs canonical tag ? I read that moz did a 301 from their index php.  I understand one difference is that user then can Type in the URL if no 301, but I'm interested about ranking effect of it.

[GastonRiera]

Hello,

As Google perspective, there is no difference.
As linkjuice, it's better to redirect with a 301.

My experience? (and my opinion) it's more secure and the change is done faster in google's index: 301 redirect.

Best luck.
GR.

[advertisingcloud]

Hello,

thanks for the answer. So for raking it would be better to redirect the index.php as i understand?  The issue we have is that we use Os-class as our platform, and even if i set a new directory index sitehome.php and make a 301 redirect, our site breaks down and some functionality does not work..

[GastonRiera]

The safest and quickest option would be the 301 redirect.

For the cases when that can't be done, there is the canonical option. And of course,  make sure that index.php is out of the sitemap.

Hope it helps.
GR.