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SEO & Indexing7 min read

Next.js SEO Checklist for New Websites

C
CoreVibbe SEO TeamTechnical Search Optimization
•
Feb 5, 2026
•Feb 2026
SEO & Indexing
Technical SEO Audit
Target Metric:100/100
Canonical & Indexing ArchitectureAutomatic XML Sitemap + Robots Directives + Multi-Language hreflang (EN/FR/IT/ES/DE/AR)
✓ 100% Crawlable & Indexed
Architecture Highlights:Metadata APIDynamic Open GraphJSON-LD Schemahreflang Alternates
Optimize your Next.js App Router application for maximum search engine visibility with this technical SEO checklist covering metadata, sitemaps, and schemas.
## Technical SEO in the App Router Era Next.js provides a first-class Metadata API that replaces legacy `<Head>` tags with typed, server-evaluated metadata objects. --- ### 1. Setting `metadataBase` for Canonical Resolution Always configure `metadataBase` in your root `src/app/layout.tsx` to avoid warnings with relative image paths and canonical URLs: ```typescript export const metadata: Metadata = { metadataBase: new URL('https://corevibbe.com'), alternates: { canonical: '/', }, }; ``` --- ### 2. Multi-Language `hreflang` Alternates If your website supports multiple languages (e.g. English, French, Arabic), define alternate language links in metadata so Google indexes the correct localized version: ```typescript alternates: { canonical: '/', languages: { 'en-US': '/?lang=en', 'fr-FR': '/?lang=fr', 'ar-SA': '/?lang=ar', }, } ``` --- ### 3. Structured Data (JSON-LD) Structured schemas help Google understand the nature of your content. Add a script tag inside your layout or article page: ```tsx <script type="application/ld+json" dangerouslySetInnerHTML={{ __html: JSON.stringify({ '@context': 'https://schema.org', '@type': 'Article', headline: article.title, datePublished: article.publishedAt, author: [{ '@type': 'Person', name: article.author }], }), }} /> ```
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Practical Implementation Checklist

1. Define metadataBase in Root Layout

Set metadataBase to resolve relative social sharing URLs and canonical links automatically.

2. Generate Dynamic XML Sitemaps

Create an automated route handler (/sitemap.xml) that queries published articles and pages.

3. Inject Structured Schema (JSON-LD)

Embed schema.org/SoftwareApplication or schema.org/Article markup to enable rich search snippets.

Tags:#SEO#Next.js#Metadata#Open Graph#JSON-LD#Sitemaps

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