How can I fix the canonicalization error with Webflow's Glossary page when using Finsweet attributes Library for filtering and loading the CMS?

A canonicalization error on a Webflow CMS Glossary page using Finsweet's Attributes Library usually happens when filtered pages (via URL parameters or hash routing) generate indexable duplicate content. Addressing this requires both managing canonical tags and controlling indexing behavior.

1. Understand the Canonicalization Issue

• Filtered CMS pages (e.g., ones using Finsweet’s filter via URL hash or query parameters) don’t change page content via navigation—the URL stays the same or uses hash/query elements.
• Search engines might see filtered versions (e.g., /glossary?term=a) as separate “pages” without proper canonical tags, leading to perceived duplicate content issues.

2. Use Webflow's Canonical Tag Correctly

• Go to Page Settings for your main Glossary page.

• In the Custom Code – Head section, add a canonical tag like this:

  <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.yoursite.com/glossary">

• This ensures that no matter how URL parameters or hashes alter the view, search engines are pointed to the main glossary page.

3. Prevent Indexing of Filtered URLs (Optional)

• Since Finsweet filtering is done client-side, filtered views shouldn’t be crawled or indexed. Still:

• You can optionally block query/fragment-based URLs via robots.txt by disallowing query string versions:

  Disallow: /glossary?*

• This is preventive and helps ensure filtered versions don’t appear in search.

4. Use Finsweet Attributes Correctly

• With FS Attributes CMS Filter / Load integrations:
• The base URL doesn't change on filtering unless you're using data-fs-cmsfilter-hash.
• If using hash-based filtering (e.g., #a), search engines ignore hash fragments, so indexation problems are minimal.
• If you’re using query parameters (?term=a), make sure those are not linked from other pages to prevent crawling.

5. Advanced Option: Use Canonical in CMS Template

• If you're pulling Glossary terms via a CMS template, and users can open individual term pages, ensure each term has a unique canonical URL or the parent Glossary page as canonical (depending on setup).

• For each Glossary CMS item, go to Template Settings and add:

  <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.yoursite.com/glossary">

  —only if these pages are not unique in content.

Summary

To fix canonicalization errors on a Webflow + Finsweet CMS Glossary page, set a static canonical tag pointing to the primary Glossary URL, avoid exposing filter parameters as crawlable links, and, if needed, adjust your robots.txt to prevent indexing of query-based duplicates. This ensures filtered views won't confuse search engines or create duplicate content issues.