Avoiding Keyword Cannibalization: Tips for Effective SEO

Why It Matters and How to Identify and Resolve Cannibalized Keywords

Published At: 05/06/2023

Are you struggling to improve your website's visibility and ranking on search engines? Have you heard of keyword cannibalization?

Keyword cannibalization occurs when multiple pages on a website target the same keyword or phrase, causing confusion for search engines like Google and leading to lower rankings for all the pages involved. But don't worry, there are solutions to this issue.

By performing a thorough keyword analysis and reviewing your website's content, you can identify and resolve keyword cannibalization issues.

In this article, we'll discuss why keyword cannibalization is bad for SEO, how to find cannibalized keywords, and most importantly, how to solve the issue.

Whether you're a business owner or a content creator, you'll learn practical tips on how to improve your website's SEO and online visibility. So, let's dive in and explore the world of keyword cannibalization.

What is keyword cannibalization?

Keyword cannibalization is a term used in the world of search engine optimization (SEO) that refers to a situation where multiple pages on a website are targeting the same keyword or phrase.

This can be a problem because search engines like Google prefer to show diverse and relevant content to their users.

Imagine you have a website that sells sports shoes and you have multiple pages all targeting the keyword "running shoes." When Google crawls your website and sees that you have several pages all trying to rank for the same keyword, it can become confused about which page to show in the search results.

This can result in lower rankings for all of the pages, because Google may view them as duplicate or competing content.

To avoid keyword cannibalization, it's important to ensure that each page on your website targets a unique set of keywords and provides valuable and distinct content.

This way, search engines can understand the purpose of each page and show it to the appropriate audience.

Why is it bad for SEO?

Keyword cannibalization is bad for SEO because it can confuse search engines like Google and cause them to lower the rankings of all the pages targeting the same keyword or phrase.

When multiple pages on a website compete for the same keyword, it can be challenging for search engines to determine which page is the most relevant and should be shown to users.

As a result, all of the pages may end up with lower rankings, which can hurt the website's visibility and traffic.

How to find cannibalized keywords?

To find cannibalized keywords on your website, you need to perform a thorough keyword analysis and review the content on each page of your site.

Start by making a list of all the keywords that are relevant to your business and the topics you cover on your website.
Then, use a keyword research tool to determine which keywords have the highest search volume and are most relevant to your audience.

Next, review the content on each page of your website and check if any pages are targeting the same or similar keywords. Look for pages that have similar titles, meta descriptions, and content, as these may be competing for the same keyword.

You can also use a tool like Ubersuggest, Ahrefs, or Semrush that can scan your website and show you which keywords are used on multiple pages. Another method is to do a content audit and list all your pages and their focus keywords.

Then you can check if there are any keywords that are repeated or similar. A third method is to do a Google search with some of the keywords you use often and see if more than one page from your website shows up in the results.

Once you have identified the pages that are targeting the same keyword, you can take steps to consolidate the content or adjust the targeting of the pages to ensure they each have a unique and valuable focus.

Overall, regularly reviewing and updating your website's content and keyword targeting can help you identify and address keyword cannibalization issues, improving your website's SEO and visibility.

How to solve keyword cannibalization

To resolve keyword cannibalization, you need to make sure that each page on your website targets a different keyword and a different search intent.

This means that each page should serve a different purpose and answer a different question for your visitors. You can do this by following these steps:

Find the cannibalized keywords using a tool like Semrush, Ahrefs, or Ubersuggest, or by doing a content audit or a Google search.

Pick one preferred page for each cannibalized keyword. This is the page that you want to rank highest for that keyword and that best matches the search intent.

De-optimize the other pages for that keyword. This means reducing the keyword usage on those pages and changing the title, meta description, headings, and content to focus on a different keyword.

Consolidate the pages if they are very similar or outdated. This means merging them into one page or deleting one of them and redirecting it to the other.

Use canonical tags if you want to keep both pages but tell Google which one is the main one. This is a piece of code that you add to the head section of your page to indicate which page is the original or preferred version.

Here’s a funny and relaxed way to summarize it all:

When it comes to SEO,
You need to know where to go.
Keyword cannibalization can be a pain,
But don't worry, we'll help you gain.
Find those repeated keywords,
And don't be afraid to get absurd.
Pick one page to rule them all,
And watch your website rankings stand tall.
De-optimize the others, make them unique,
With titles, meta descriptions, and content tweaks.
Consolidate if they're too alike,
And use canonical tags to get it right.
With these steps, you'll avoid duplication,
And see an increase in your website's reputation.
So, don't wait, take action now,
And watch your SEO skills truly wow!

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, keyword cannibalization can harm your website's SEO and rankings, as search engines may view your pages as duplicate or competing content.
To prevent this issue, you need to perform a thorough keyword analysis and review the content on each page of your site.

If you find cannibalized keywords, you can resolve the issue by picking a preferred page, de-optimizing the other pages, consolidating similar pages, or using canonical tags.

At our content writing agency, we can help you with all of your SEO needs, including identifying and resolving keyword cannibalization issues. Contact us today to boost your website's SEO and improve your online visibility.