Detailed definition
When the same content can be reached at more than one URL (filters, sorting parameters, http/https, www/non-www), it tells Google "this is the main URL for this content". It prevents duplicate content penalties and consolidates link equity on a single URL. Every page should have a canonical (a self-referencing canonical is normal).
Examples
- /products?sort=price and /products?sort=date are different URLs — the canonical should be /products/.