Adding Canonical Tags to Squarespace Blog Posts Efficiently

Adding Canonical Tags to Squarespace Posts

TL;DR:

• Canonical tags tell search engines which version of republished content to prioritise
• Squarespace 7.1 doesn't support per-post canonical tags natively
• You can work around this with JavaScript, but only on Business plans and higher
• The script needs to go in a Code Block at the top of each blog post
• Always test the implementation in Chrome DevTools

When you republish content from another site onto your Squarespace blog, you need to point back to the original article with a canonical tag. This tells search engines which version of the content matters most, which protects your SEO and gives proper credit to the original source.

The Problem with Squarespace 7.1

Squarespace 7.1 doesn't let you add unique canonical tags to individual blog posts. You can only set them at site-wide or blog level, which doesn't help when you're republishing content from different sources.

This is where most people get stuck. The platform's limitations seem to block what should be a basic SEO practice.

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The JavaScript Workaround

You can get around Squarespace's limitations by using JavaScript in a Code Block. This method dynamically adds the canonical link to your page's head section.

There's a catch though. This only works on Business, Commerce, or higher tier plans because you need JavaScript support in Code Blocks.

How to Add the Script

Here's how to set it up:

1. Check your Squarespace plan supports JavaScript in Code Blocks
2. Open the blog post you want to modify
3. Add a Code Block at the very top of the post
4. Switch the Code Block to HTML mode
5. Add this JavaScript code, replacing the URL with your original article's link:

document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function () {
  const canonicalUrl = 'https://originalwebsite.com/original-article/';
  const existing = document.querySelector('link[rel="canonical"]');
  if (existing) {
    existing.remove();
  }
  const link = document.createElement('link');
  link.rel = 'canonical';
  link.href = canonicalUrl;
  document.head.appendChild(link);
});

6. Save and publish your changes
7. Use Chrome DevTools to check the page's head section and confirm the canonical tag appears

What You Need to Get Right

The URL in your script must exactly match the original content's URL. Even small differences can confuse search engines about which version is the source.

Place the Code Block at the very top of your post. This helps ensure the script loads properly and doesn't conflict with other page elements.

FAQs

Can I use this method on any Squarespace plan?
No, only Business, Commerce, or higher plans support JavaScript in Code Blocks. Personal plans won't work.

Will this work for posts I've already published?
Yes, you can add the script to existing posts anytime. The canonical tag will start working as soon as you publish the update.

What happens if I mess up the JavaScript?
The worst case is usually that the canonical tag doesn't appear. Always test in DevTools after making changes. If something breaks, you can remove the Code Block and start over.

Do I need to do this for every republished post?
Yes, each post needs its own Code Block with the correct canonical URL for that specific piece of content.

Jargon Buster

Canonical Tag – An HTML element that tells search engines which version of a webpage is the main one when duplicate content exists

Code Block – A Squarespace content block that lets you add custom HTML, CSS, or JavaScript to your pages

DevTools – Built-in browser tools (press F12) that let you inspect a webpage's code and see how it's structured

Wrap-up

This JavaScript workaround is currently the best way to add per-post canonical tags on Squarespace 7.1. It requires a Business plan or higher, but it's the only method that gives you the control you need for proper SEO when republishing content.

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Always test your implementation with DevTools to make sure the canonical tag appears correctly. If you're not comfortable with the technical side, or you need this set up across many posts, it might be worth getting help from a developer.

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