How to Use Canonical URLs in WordPress (without a plugin)?

[trentonlaura]

I understand how to use canonical urls on a static HTML based site, but I don't understand where to include these URLs on a WordPress based site.

They go in the head tags of the URLs of the pages with duplicate content... but I only have access to the files of my theme... so I'm a bit lost as to how to access the head tags for those URLs to input the code.

[phoenikz]

why avoid canonical plugin ?
it is easier than coding the header.php

[trentonlaura]

The less plugins the better unless I absolutely need it is my thought process.

[chenkev]

I'm not sure but doesn't wordpress do this automatically now? In the settings page (I think it's called settings) it should have a website URL field. Is this for canonical url?

[sparrokei]

Originally Posted by trentonlaura

I understand how to use canonical urls on a static HTML based site, but I don't understand where to include these URLs on a WordPress based site.

They go in the head tags of the URLs of the pages with duplicate content... but I only have access to the files of my theme... so I'm a bit lost as to how to access the head tags for those URLs to input the code.

Place this in the header:

<?php
foreach((get_the_category()) as $cat);
echo '<link rel="canonical" href="';
if(is_home() || is_front_page()) {
echo bloginfo('url');
echo '/';
} elseif(is_single() || is_page()) {
echo the_permalink();
} elseif(is_category()) {
echo bloginfo('url');
echo '/';
echo $cat->category_nicename;
echo '/';
} elseif(is_tag()) {
echo get_tag_link($tag_id);
} else{}
echo '">';
?>