Issue Overview: This hint identifies webpages where the canonical tag is either malformed or empty.
Why It Matters: Properly defined canonical tags are crucial for directing search engines to the preferred version of a webpage. Malformed or empty canonical tags can lead to indexing issues and dilute SEO efforts, potentially causing search engines to index duplicate or unintended pages.
Optimization Check: The check triggers for internal URLs with incorrect canonical tags – either missing, incomplete, or improperly structured.
Example Scenarios:
1. Canonical tag in the <head> section is empty.
2. HTTP header contains an undefined or incorrect canonical link.
Resolving the Issue: Ensuring accurate canonical tags is essential. It may involve a simple CMS fix or require developer assistance for template adjustments. A widespread issue might indicate a CMS configuration problem.
For in-depth information and guidance, please refer to Sitebulb's detailed explanation [here](https://sitebulb.com/hints/indexability/canonical-is-malformed-or-empty/).