Overview

IDX pages use canonical URLs to help search engines understand which version of a page should be indexed.

This helps prevent duplicate listing pages from competing against each other in search results.

What Is a Canonical URL?

A canonical URL tells search engines which version of a page should be considered the main or preferred version.

For example, the same listing might be accessible through multiple URLs:

/idx/details/listing/12345
/idx/details/listing/12345/123-Main-St
/idx/details/listing/12345?city=Madison

A canonical tag signals which of these URLs should be indexed.

How IDX Handles Canonical URLs

Listing Pages

Individual property listing pages automatically include a canonical tag.

This canonical tag points to the preferred version of the listing URL on the IDX subdomain.

Example:

https://home-condo-search.wisconsin.condos/idx/details/listing/12345

These pages:

• Self-canonicalize

• Are indexable by search engines

• Are eligible to appear in search results

Other IDX Pages

Pages such as:

• Search results

• City pages

• Saved links

• Browsing pages

do not receive a canonical tag.

These pages can still be indexed, but they do not consolidate duplicate URLs in the same way listing pages do.

Why Google Search Console May Show

“Alternate Page With Proper Canonical Tag”

This message in Google Search Console is normal and expected.

It means Google found multiple URLs that lead to the same listing and has chosen the canonical version to index.

Examples include:

• URLs with different parameters

• URLs containing an address slug

• URLs created from different search paths

Google labels these as “alternate pages” because they correctly point to the canonical listing page.

This indicates the canonical tag is working properly.

Are Listing Pages Indexable?

Yes.

Listing pages:

• Do not include a noindex tag

• Contain a self-referencing canonical

• Are accessible to search engines

Because of this, they are eligible to be indexed by Google.

How to Verify Indexing

To confirm a listing page is indexed:

1. Open Google Search Console

2. Use the URL Inspection Tool

3. Enter the canonical listing URL

You should see one of the following statuses:

• Indexed

• Crawled – currently not indexed

If a page is crawled but not indexed, it usually means Google has not yet chosen to include it in the search results.

Key Takeaway

IDX listing pages automatically use canonical URLs to consolidate duplicate listing links and help search engines index the correct version.

Seeing “Alternate page with proper canonical tag” in Google Search Console is normal and means Google is recognizing duplicate URLs and indexing the correct listing page.