Keyword Cannibalization – A Detailed Guide

It takes time and effort to grow a website. A sound SEO plan helps it succeed. But if you’re not careful, your pages might compete against each other. This is called keyword cannibalization.

Many websites run into this without realizing. They target the same search terms across different pages, weakening their own rankings. This guide explains what keyword cannibalization is, how to detect it, and how to fix or prevent it.

What Is Keyword Cannibalization

Keyword cannibalization happens when two or more pages on your website try to rank for the same keyword. It can be accidental. You might have written similar articles over time or created overlapping product pages.

Search engines can’t always tell which page to show. So, they split attention or push all of them down in rankings. For example, if you sell digital services and write multiple posts targeting “SEO tips,” search engines might see those as duplicates.

How to Detect Keyword Cannibalization

Search Your Site in Google

Use this format:

site:yourdomain.com "target keyword"

If several pages show up for the same search, you might have a problem.

Use SEO Tools

Platforms like Ahrefs, Semrush, or Google Search Console show which pages rank for which keywords. Look for duplicate entries with the same terms.

Try Free Tools or Extensions

Some browser extensions and free SEO tools let you scan your domain for cannibalization. These are useful for small sites or a quick check.

How to Prevent Keyword Cannibalization

Build a Keyword Map

Start with a list of all the keywords you want to target. Assign one primary keyword to each page. Use a spreadsheet to track them. Or if you have programming knowledge, create custom scripts to track and plot keyword distribution across pages, thereby reducing your manual workload.

This avoids overlap and keeps your site structure clear.

Audit Your Content Regularly

Use tools like Google Search Console and GA4 to review performance. Spot pages with falling rankings, low clicks, or unclear focus.

Check:

• Are two or more pages covering the same topic?
• Do they target the same keyword?
• Does one outperform the other?

Update or merge pages where needed.

How to Fix Keyword Cannibalization

1. Merge Pages

If two pages target the same keyword and share similar content, combine them. Keep the stronger content and redirect the other URL.

2. Use 301 Redirects

If one page clearly performs better, redirect the weaker one to it. This passes traffic and authority to the main page. Ask your developer to help if you’re unsure how to manage redirects.

3. Create New Landing Pages

If two pages serve different purposes but use the same keyword, create a new landing page to centralize that keyword. Link the other pages to it. This gives search engines a clear signal.

4. Add Canonical Tags

When duplicate content is necessary—like with e-commerce filters or variants—use a rel="canonical" tag in the page’s header. This tells Google which version is the main one.

Use this only when pages are similar and the content can’t be merged or redirected.

5. Rewrite and Reassign Keywords

Change the focus of one or more competing pages. Find secondary or long-tail keywords that fit the topic. Update the headings, meta tags, and copy to reflect the new focus.

Use tools like Ubersuggest or Google’s “People also ask” section to get ideas.

6. Use Noindex for Thin or Duplicate Pages

If a page adds little value and you don’t want it in search results, add a noindex tag. This tells search engines to ignore it.

Use this for tag pages, outdated content, or filters.

A Quick Example

If you sell cookware and have three blog posts targeting “best kitchen utensils,” pick one to be the main article. Rewrite it to cover the topic fully. Then:

• Redirect the others to it.
• Use internal links from related content.
• Assign new keywords to the old posts if they offer unique value.

Final Advice

Keyword cannibalization can hurt your rankings. But it’s easy to fix once you know what to look for. Make sure every page has a clear focus. Avoid overlapping keywords. Run content audits often.

If you’re unsure, do a site-wide SEO audit and check your keyword rankings using trusted tools. A clean SEO structure helps search engines and readers alike.