Cannibalization occurs when multiple pages on your site compete for the same keyword, diluting rankings. Consolidate similar content or refine page targeting to fix it.
Why Keyword Cannibalization Matters
Keyword cannibalization is a significant problem because it forces your own content to compete against itself. This is a battle you can’t win. It leads to a number of negative consequences:
- Lower Rankings: Search engines may struggle to identify the most relevant page, causing all competing pages to underperform.
- Diluted Link Authority: Backlinks pointing to different cannibalized pages dilute the authority that could have been concentrated on a single, powerful page.
- Wasted Crawl Budget: Search engine crawlers may waste valuable time and resources crawling overlapping pages instead of more important content.
- Poor User Experience: Users may land on a less relevant page, get frustrated, and leave, which increases your bounce rate and sends a negative signal to Google.
It’s a common issue, especially for websites that produce a lot of content without a clear content strategy.
Across Different CMS Platforms
The management of keyword cannibalization is a content and technical SEO strategy that applies to every CMS.
WordPress
WordPress users can easily fall victim to keyword cannibalization if they are not careful with their content strategy. A good SEO plugin like Yoast SEO or Rank Math can help by identifying potential keyword overlaps and by suggesting internal linking strategies to consolidate authority.
Shopify
On Shopify, keyword cannibalization often occurs in e-commerce stores with many similar products or with a large number of product filter pages. You can fix this by using canonical tags to tell search engines which page is the preferred one.
Wix
Wix has a streamlined, user-friendly system, but you can still experience keyword cannibalization with a large number of similar blog posts. The key is to have a clear content strategy and to ensure that each page has a unique purpose and a unique keyword.
Webflow
Webflow gives you granular control over your website’s design and code, which is perfect for a sophisticated content strategy. You can use it to build a clear, hierarchical site structure that prevents keyword cannibalization from the start.
Custom CMS
With a custom CMS, you have the most control but also the most responsibility. You can build a system that automatically checks for keyword cannibalization and that provides your content creators with data-driven insights.
Across Different Industries
Keyword cannibalization is a concern for all industries that produce content.
E-commerce
E-commerce sites are susceptible to keyword cannibalization with similar product pages or with a large number of filter pages. A single page for “running shoes” could compete with pages for “men’s running shoes” and “women’s running shoes” if they have similar content.
Local Businesses
Local businesses can suffer from keyword cannibalization if they have a large number of pages that target a similar local keyword. For example, a plumber with a page for “plumber in Houston” and another for “Houston plumber” can have a keyword cannibalization issue.
SaaS Companies
SaaS companies can get a keyword cannibalization issue with multiple blog posts that cover the same topic. For example, a blog post on “What is a CRM” and another on “CRM for Small Business” could compete with each other.
Blogs
Blogs are the most natural home for keyword cannibalization. A blog that writes a lot about a similar topic can have a keyword cannibalization issue. A good content strategy is key to preventing this.
Do’s and Don’ts of Keyword Cannibalization
Do’s
- Do a content audit. Identify all the pages on your site that are targeting the same or very similar keywords.
- Do consolidate pages. Merge similar pages into a single, comprehensive page, and use a 301 redirect to the new page.
- Do use canonical tags. If you have two pages that are very similar but you want to keep both, a canonical tag will tell search engines which one is the preferred one to rank.
- Do optimize internal links. Update your internal links to point to the one authoritative page that you want to rank for the keyword.
Don’ts
- Don’t delete pages blindly. A page may be getting organic traffic for other keywords. Always check your analytics before deleting a page.
- Don’t use the same anchor text for multiple pages. This can confuse search engines and dilute the power of your internal links.
- Don’t ignore the problem. Keyword cannibalization can grow exponentially over time.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Optimizing multiple pages for similar keywords and the same search intent: This is the most common and devastating mistake.
- Failing to consolidate outdated pages: When you publish a new version of a page, you should always consolidate the old one.
- Having a messy site architecture: A lack of a clear, hierarchical site structure can lead to keyword cannibalization.
FAQs
How do I find keyword cannibalization on my website?
You can find keyword cannibalization by using Google Search Console. Navigate to “Performance,” select the “Queries” tab, and filter for your keyword. Then, click the “Pages” tab to see if multiple pages are ranking for the same keyword. You can also use a third-party tool like SEMrush or Ahrefs.
Does keyword cannibalization always hurt my SEO?
No, not always. If multiple pages are targeting the same keyword with different search intents, it may not be a problem. For example, a blog post on “how to bake sourdough bread” and a product page for “sourdough baking supplies” are targeting the same keyword but with different intents.
What is the best way to fix keyword cannibalization?
The best way to fix keyword cannibalization is to consolidate similar pages into a single, comprehensive page and use a 301 redirect from the old pages to the new one. This will consolidate link authority and improve your ranking potential.
What is the difference between keyword cannibalization and content cannibalization?
Keyword cannibalization focuses on multiple pages targeting the same or similar keywords. Content cannibalization is a broader issue where multiple pages cover the same topic, regardless of the keywords they’re optimized for.
Can a website with a low domain authority have a keyword cannibalization issue?
Yes, a website with a low domain authority can have a keyword cannibalization issue. The issue is about competing with yourself, not about competing with other websites.
