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“site not canonical” error in Google Webmaster Tools after demo import

This topic has 3 replies, 2 voices, and was last updated 2 years, 3 months ago ago by Robert

Robert

Participant

January 8, 2022 at 23:58

Hello

On at least two recent demos, once the demo has been imported, I noticed this line when viewing the Home page source code:

<link rel="canonical" href="https://xstore.8theme.com/elementor/demos/digital-marketing/" />

The above line of code instructs Google Webmaster Tools that the site is not the main site and is a duplicate of xstore.8theme.com/elementor/demos/digital-marketing. This means that the site will never be fully listed on Google search results.

This seems to be a recent error on your demos, including the Digital Marketing one and the Minimal Fashion 03. I suspect others have this erroneous piece of code.

The code shows up if Yoast SEO plugin is already installed before the import. It is importing that into Yoast on the new site. It can be removed here below whilst editing the Home Page’s Yoast settings under advanced:

https://prnt.sc/26bjlrb

Anyone who imports those demos who uses Yoast will also import the error and have issues with the URL being listed in Google Webmaster Tools sitemaps as a non-canonical page, and the page(s) will not be listed in search results. It seriously needs fixing on the demo sites.

Regards
Robert

#313985 Copied Theme version: 8.0.11

2 Answers

Olga Barlow

Support staff

January 10, 2022 at 13:09

Hello,

You just need to change the canonical URL of the demo content according to your needs. You change the demo content text and also need to change that.
We use that on demo for SEO purposes and that’s why it automatically comes in the demo content as all the other demo content and links that we have on demo.

Regards

#314086 Copied

Robert

Participant

January 10, 2022 at 16:49

Hello Olga

Thank you for responding.

When I have imported older WPBakery themes, this reference to a canonical site was never there, only more recent Elementor sites.

The problem I am trying to outline is that the canonical line in Yoast is hidden in the advanced section, so is not visible to people. I certainly had no idea it was there. Then, after changing the theme by importing a newer demo, the site was no longer listed by Google. I had no idea until I investigated errors in Google Webmaster Tools that there was this line of code stating that my site was a copy of XStore because of this canonical line you have started inserting into Yoast in the newer demos. Of course, my content is not the same as XStore’s demo content. If I did not know the canonical line was there, then I am sure plenty of other people will also have no idea it is there. It serves little purpose to include this line telling Google that all other sites with your XStore theme are a copy of your demos. There is no way most people will know what to do without further investigation as I did. Many people will just not know why their site is not listed.

I’ve bought hundreds of themes by other theme developers and have never seen this inserted into Yoast advanced, hidden away like this. I am really perplexed that this is not obvious that it could cause an issue being hidden.

You suggested that I just need to change it; however, I already said I did that with a screenshot included, so others know what to do. I personally know to remove the line now as per my original post, but I highly suggest you rethink this issue for others since that canonical line is hidden from everyone’s view.

Regards
Robert

#314130 Copied
Tagged: canonical, error, google, site, themes, tools, webmaster, woocommerce, wordpress
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“site not canonical” error in Google Webmaster Tools after demo import

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