Let me ask you: Have you ever wondered why your website isn’t ranking as high as it should, even when you’ve optimized it for the right keywords? The culprit might be something you’ve never thought about—keyword cannibalization.
Now, don’t worry if you’ve never heard the term before. We’re about to dive deep into it, and by the end of this blog, you and I will understand what it is and know how to fix it and prevent it from happening in the future.
- What Is Keyword Cannibalization?
- How Does Keyword Cannibalization Happen?
- Why Is Keyword Cannibalization Bad For SEO?
- How To Identify Keyword Cannibalization
- How To Fix Keyword Cannibalization
- Common Keyword Cannibalization Scenarios And Their Solutions
- How To Prevent Keyword Cannibalization In The Future
- Wrapping It Up
What is Keyword Cannibalization?
Keyword cannibalization happens when two or more pages on your website compete for the same keyword or intent. Think of it like a tug-of-war—your pages pull against each other for Google’s attention instead of working together.
The result? Google gets confused about which page to rank, and instead of one strong page, you end up with several weaker ones. Not ideal, right?
How Does Keyword Cannibalization Happen?
It’s easier to fall into this trap than you’d think. Let me give you a few examples:
- You create multiple blog posts targeting the same keyword.
- You optimize a category page and a product page for the same keyword.
- Your pages have similar content but slightly different titles.
It’s not always intentional but can seriously impact your SEO performance.
Why is Keyword Cannibalization Bad for SEO?
Neither one can achieve its full potential when your pages compete with each other. Here’s what typically happens:
- Your click-through rate (CTR) drops because Google splits traffic between the competing pages.
- Your domain authority is diluted. Instead of one page gaining all the backlinks, they’re spread thin across multiple pages.
- Your conversion rate can suffer if users land on the “wrong” page that doesn’t meet their intent.
In short, keyword cannibalization stops your website from performing as well as possible. But don’t worry—we can fix this.
How to Identify Keyword Cannibalization
The first step is determining if this is happening on your site. Here’s how you can do it:
1. Use Google Search Console:
Type your target keyword into the performance report. If you see multiple pages ranking for the same keyword, that’s a red flag.
2. Run a Site Search:
Go to Google and type site:yourdomain.com “your keyword”. You might have an issue if more than one page appears in the results.
3. Use an SEO Tool:
Tools like Semrush or Ahrefs can help you identify competing pages. Plug in your website and look at the keyword overlap data.
These steps will give you a clear idea of whether keyword cannibalization is happening.
How to Fix Keyword Cannibalization
Once you’ve identified the issue, it’s time to fix it. Here’s how:
1. Consolidate Competing Pages
If two pages target the same keyword, consider merging them into one powerhouse page. Keep the best content from each and redirect the old URL to the new one.
2. Revise Your Keywords
Sometimes, the issue is that the pages target a too broad keyword. Narrow it down by assigning unique keywords to each page.
3. Use Canonical Tags
If you can’t merge or revise the pages, use canonical tags to tell Google which page to prioritize.
4. Update Your Internal Linking
Ensure your internal links point to the most important page for a particular keyword. This helps Google understand which page is more authoritative.
Common Keyword Cannibalization Scenarios and Their Solutions
Let’s look at a few real-world examples of how keyword cannibalization happens and how you can address it:
Scenario 1: Blog Posts Competing with Each Other
Imagine you’ve written two blog posts on similar topics, like “How to Do Keyword Research” and “Keyword Research Tips for Beginners.” Both target the same keyword: “Keyword Research.”
Solution: Consolidate these posts into one comprehensive guide. You could create a single blog titled “The Ultimate Guide to Keyword Research for Beginners” and include all relevant tips in one place. Then, redirect the old URLs to this new post.
Scenario 2: Product and Category Pages Competing
Say you have a category page for “Running Shoes” and a product page for “Best Running Shoes for Marathon Training.” Both are optimized for “running shoes.”
Solution: Optimize the “running shoes” category page and focus the product page on a long-tail keyword like “best-running shoes for marathons.” This way, they complement rather than compete with each other.
Scenario 3: Seasonal Content Overlap
You’ve written holiday-specific content, like “Best Christmas Gifts for 2022” and “Top Christmas Gift Ideas.” These may compete for similar terms.
Solution: Archive outdated seasonal content and redirect it to the latest version. For example, redirect the 2022 blog to your 2023 Christmas gift guide.
How to Prevent Keyword Cannibalization in the Future
Prevention is always better than cure. Here’s how you can avoid this problem altogether:
1. Plan Your Content Strategically
Before creating new content, research your existing pages. Make sure you’re not duplicating efforts.
2. Create a Keyword Map
Assign specific keywords to specific pages. Think of it as a blueprint for your site’s content.
3. Audit Your Content Regularly
SEO isn’t a one-and-done thing. Regular audits will help you catch issues before they become more significant problems.
4. Use Clear URL Structures
Your URLs should reflect the unique intent of each page. For example, use /running shoes for your category page and /marathon-training shoes for your product page.
5. Train Your Content Team
If you’re working with a team, educate them about keyword cannibalization. Make sure everyone understands how to research and assign keywords correctly.
Wrapping It Up
Keyword cannibalization might initially sound scary, but now you and I know how to tackle it head-on. From identifying to fixing and preventing it, you have all the tools to ensure your website works at its best.
Remember, SEO is all about fine-tuning; small changes can lead to significant results. So, start auditing your site today and make those adjustments. Your rankings (and your readers) will thank you!
Do you have any questions about keyword cannibalization or SEO? Let me know in the comments—I’m here to help!
