Keyword cannibalization happens when multiple pages on your website are targeting the same keyword or topic, competing against each other in search results. Instead of strengthening your ranking power, this internal competition can confuse search engines, dilute your authority, and hurt your rankings.
For example, if you have two blog posts targeting “best CRM software,” Google may not know which one to rank. As a result, both might perform poorly instead of one ranking highly.
At first glance, having multiple pages for a single keyword may seem beneficial. More content means more chances to rank, right? Not in this case. Here’s why keyword cannibalization is bad for SEO:
The first step to fixing keyword cannibalization is identifying it. Here’s how:
Use the following Google search operator:
site:yourdomain.com "target keyword"
This shows all pages from your domain that mention the keyword. Skim through the URLs and page titles to see if multiple pages are targeting the same term.
Check if multiple pages rank for the same keyword. If different URLs frequently appear, disappear, or swap places in the SERP for the same query, that’s a sign of cannibalization.
Export a list of the top-ranking pages and keywords they rank for from your SEO tool. Then:
Create a simple spreadsheet with columns for:
– Keyword
– URL 1
– URL 2
– Primary intent
– Recommended action
This visual approach makes it much easier to plan fixes.
Once you’ve identified which pages are competing, it’s time to resolve the conflict. The right fix depends on the situation.
If two pages are similar in content and target the same intent, combine them into a single, stronger page. Then:
– Redirect the weaker URL to the new primary page (301 redirect)
– Consolidate internal links to point at the new version
– Update internal references and backlinks if possible
Example:
If you have blog posts like “Top CRMs in 2023” and “Best CRMs for Small Businesses,” and both target the keyword “best CRM software,” consider merging them into a comprehensive guide.
If the pages serve distinct search intents, adjust the content and on-page SEO elements to signal that clearly. Update:
– Titles and meta descriptions
– Heading structure (H1–H3)
– Keyword targeting and phrasing
– Internal linking context
Example:
Turn one into a commercial page (“Best CRM Software [Comparison]”) and the other into an informational piece (“What is CRM Software and Why It Matters”).
If a page doesn’t provide unique value and doesn’t rank well, consider removing it. Either:
– Set it to “noindex” if you still want it accessible to users
– Delete and redirect it to the most relevant page
This is useful for thin content or outdated articles.
For duplicate or near-duplicate pages, add a canonical tag pointing to the preferred version. This tells search engines which page to prioritize in rankings.
Use this when:
– You have multiple variations of a page (like tracking parameters or printer-friendly versions)
– The content must remain accessible, but only one version should rank
Ensure that your internal links consistently point to the page you want to rank for a given keyword. This helps guide both users and crawlers toward your priority content.
– Update anchor text to focus on primary keywords
– Reduce internal links to competing pages
– Use consistent hierarchy in your site structure
Prevention is better than cleanup. Here’s how you can keep your site clean of cannibalization issues:
Create a keyword map that outlines:
– Each target keyword
– The corresponding URL
– Content type and search intent
Refer to this before creating new content to avoid targeting the same terms across multiple pages.
If your content strategy involves multiple writers or departments, keyword coordination is crucial. Use shared documents, content planning tools, or CMS tagging to coordinate topic coverage.
Set a recurring calendar reminder—quarterly or biannually—to:
– Check for new overlaps
– Assess ranking performance
– Evaluate if existing content needs reworking
SEO isn’t static. Your site grows. Regular maintenance keeps your content aligned and high-performing.
Keyword cannibalization is a subtle yet serious SEO issue. Left unchecked, it can silently drain your site’s organic performance. But with a clear process for identifying, resolving, and preventing it, you ensure that every page works to strengthen—not compete with—your rankings.
Fixing cannibalization isn’t just about pruning pages or redirecting content. It’s about building a leaner, stronger website that aligns better with both search engine algorithms and user intent.
