Keyword Cannibalization

What is Keyword Cannibalization?

Keyword cannibalization is a common issue in the SEO industry that occurs when multiple pages on a single website target the same keyword or set of keywords. This can confuse search engines and dilute the authority of your pages, leading to lower rankings for all affected pages. Instead of consolidating the ranking power into one strong page, you're spreading it thin across several pages, which can hurt your overall SEO efforts. It can also lead to a poor user experience, as visitors might land on a page that isn't the most relevant to their search query. Addressing keyword cannibalization involves either merging content, using canonical tags, or re-optimizing pages to target different keywords.

The situation where multiple pages on the same website target the same or similar keywords and compete against each other in search engine rankings.

Examples

A travel blog has multiple articles targeting 'best travel destinations 2023.' Instead of one comprehensive guide, there are three separate posts, each ranking lower than they could if combined.

An e-commerce site sells 'running shoes' and has separate pages for 'best running shoes,' 'top running shoes,' and 'affordable running shoes,' all competing for similar keywords instead of consolidating them into one authoritative page.

Additional Information

Keyword cannibalization can lead to reduced click-through rates and lower overall traffic.

Identifying and resolving keyword cannibalization can significantly improve your website’s SEO performance and user experience.

References

Keyword Cannibalization: What It (Really) Is & How to Fix It - Ahrefs

Keyword Cannibalization: What It Is and How to Avoid It - Neil Patel

Keyword Cannibalization: How to Find, Fix, and Prevent It - Semrush