In short. Enter the preferred full URL in the Canonical URL field under Meta data in Ghost's post settings to override the automatic canonical.
Definition: A custom canonical URL in Ghost identifies the preferred address for a post whose content also appears at another address. It replaces the automatic canonical through the Canonical URL field in the post settings menu's Meta data area.
Key facts
- As of October 2026, Ghost's post settings documentation identifies the Canonical URL field as an override for republished guest posts or duplicate content.
- Ghost's custom canonical guide instructs publishers to enter the full URL, including
https://. - Google's canonical URL documentation, updated 10 July 2026, describes a canonical link as a strong signal for selecting the preferred URL among duplicate pages.
Where is the field, and what goes in it?
Ghost's post settings documentation places the Canonical URL field in the Meta data section. The procedure is to open the post in the editor, open its post settings menu, and enter the preferred address in that field.
Ghost's custom canonical guide specifies a complete address including https://. For a guest article previously published elsewhere, the target is the original published version. The same guide describes using an override for identical or nearly identical pages, with each duplicate identifying the preferred version.
The Post URL field is a separate setting. The post settings documentation explains that Ghost generates that address from the title by default and allows it to be customized.
What changes when an override is set?
Ghost's custom canonical guide explains that a new post automatically receives a canonical pointing to its own address. A custom value replaces that default preference. Its documented uses include republishing an author's existing article with permission and handling multiple versions of the same content.
Ghost's post settings documentation also states that a custom canonical automatically excludes the post URL from the sitemap, the file listing publication URLs for search engines.
How can the published link be checked?
Google's canonical URL documentation locates the canonical link in the HTML head section. A practical check is to inspect the published post's HTML for rel="canonical" and compare its href value with the intended target. Google's example uses this element:
<link rel="canonical" href="https://example.com/dresses/green-dresses" />
The example address illustrates the syntax; the Ghost post's link should contain the chosen content URL. The same documentation recommends absolute URLs and consistent canonical targets across methods, including sitemaps. Google treats the declaration as a preference when selecting a canonical.
Related terms
FAQ
Should I fill this field for every original post?
Ghost's custom canonical guide says new content receives a canonical pointing to itself automatically. You can use the override when another address is the preferred version of duplicate content.
Why is my post missing from the sitemap after this change?
Ghost's post settings documentation states that setting a custom canonical automatically excludes that URL from the sitemap.
Sources
- Ghost, "Preparing posts for publishing", undated
- Ghost, "Custom canonical URLs", 19 March 2019
- Google Search Central, 'How to specify a canonical URL with rel="canonical" and other methods', 10 July 2026
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