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This thread is resolved. Here is a description of the problem and solution.

Problem:
The client is experiencing issues with 'Alternate page with proper canonical tag' errors in Google Search Console for translated pages, and is concerned that it might be related to WPML settings.
Solution:
1. We explained that according to Google, the 'Alternate Page with Proper Canonical Tag' status message indicates that Google has found multiple versions of a page with the same canonical URL. Google will index the main version and exclude duplicates, which are not considered duplicate content if canonical tags are implemented correctly.
2. We confirmed that the WPML SEO and Yoast plugins should handle the canonical tags for all languages and asked the client if they are using these plugins. We provided links to the WPML SEO plugin and its documentation:

3. Upon reviewing the client's site sitemap, we found that everything is showing as expected and that the pages in question, which are set to private, are not currently being picked up by Google and are not listed in the sitemap.

If this solution does not apply to your situation, or if it seems outdated, we recommend opening a new support ticket. We also highly recommend checking related known issues, verifying the version of the permanent fix, and confirming that you have installed the latest versions of themes and plugins. If further assistance is needed, please contact us in the WPML support forum.

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This topic contains 5 replies, has 2 voices.

Last updated by Bobby 1 year, 4 months ago.

Assisted by: Bobby.

Author Posts
January 22, 2024 at 2:17 pm #15211906

kathrynT-2

An awful lot of my translated pages are getting "Alternate page with proper canonical tag" errors in Search Console. The English versions of the pages aren't there so I feel like it must be something to do with my WPML settings.

Screenshot 2024-01-22 at 14.15.47.png
January 23, 2024 at 12:31 am #15213835

Bobby
WPML Supporter since 04/2015

Languages: English (English )

Timezone: America/Los_Angeles (GMT-07:00)

Hello,

Per Google:

"The "Alternate Page with Proper Canonical Tag" status message in Google Search Console indicates that Google has found two or more versions of a page on a website with the same canonical URL.

Google will index the main version of the page and exclude the duplicate version.

Pages with this status are not considered duplicate content and there is no need to worry if canonical tags are implemented deliberately. However, there could be pages in there that you do want to have indexed"

WPML SEO and Yoast plugin should already take care of the canonical for all languages.

Are you using these plugins?

WPML SEO -> https://wpml.org/download/yoast-seo-multilingual/?section=changelog

Documentation: https://wpml.org/documentation/related-projects/wpml-seo/

January 23, 2024 at 10:06 am #15215442

kathrynT-2

Looking again at the pages mentioned, I realise that recently, we set all of these pages to be private. The English versions are not listed which makes it seem that Google cannot see these but can see the translations?

January 23, 2024 at 7:14 pm #15218652

Bobby
WPML Supporter since 04/2015

Languages: English (English )

Timezone: America/Los_Angeles (GMT-07:00)

Hi there,

When I review your site's sitemap everything is showing as expected, if as you said these pages are set to private.

Google is not picking them up at the moment and they are not listed in your sitemap.

hidden link

January 29, 2024 at 9:53 am #15237056

kathrynT-2

Okay. Maybe it's yet another false alarm from Google then

January 30, 2024 at 1:03 am #15241308

Bobby
WPML Supporter since 04/2015

Languages: English (English )

Timezone: America/Los_Angeles (GMT-07:00)

Let us know if further assistance is required, we will be here 🙂