When multiple pages on the same site target the same or very similar keywords, potentially causing cannibalization.
Why Overlapping Keywords Matter
Overlapping keywords are a significant SEO problem because they force 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.
Across Different CMS Platforms
The management of overlapping keywords is a content and technical SEO strategy that applies to every CMS.
WordPress
WordPress users can easily fall victim to overlapping keywords 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, overlapping keywords often occur 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 overlapping keywords 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 overlapping keywords 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 overlaps and that provides your content creators with data-driven insights.
Across Different Industries
Overlapping keywords are a concern for all industries that produce content.
E-commerce
E-commerce sites are susceptible to overlapping keywords 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 overlapping keywords if they have a large number of pages that target a similar local keyword. For example, a plumber with a page for “plumber in Dubai” and another for “Dubai plumber” can have an issue with overlapping keywords.
SaaS Companies
SaaS companies can get an issue with overlapping keywords 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 overlapping keywords. 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.
Dos and Don’ts of Overlapping Keywords
- Conduct a content audit: Identify all the pages on your site that are targeting the same or very similar keywords.
- Consolidate pages: Merge similar pages into a single, comprehensive page, and use a 301 redirect to the new page.
- 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.
- Avoid deleting pages blindly: A page may be getting organic traffic for other keywords. Always check your analytics before deleting a page.
- Avoid using the same anchor text for multiple pages: This can confuse search engines and dilute the power of your internal links.
- Avoid a messy site architecture: A lack of a clear, hierarchical site structure can lead to keyword cannibalization.
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 overlapping keywords on my website?
You can find overlapping keywords 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.
What is the difference between overlapping keywords and keyword cannibalization?
Overlapping keywords are the cause. Keyword cannibalization is the result.
What is the best way to fix a problem with overlapping keywords?
The best way is to consolidate similar pages into a single, comprehensive page and to use a 301 redirect to the new page. This will consolidate link authority and improve your ranking potential.
Can a website with a low domain authority have an issue with overlapping keywords?
Yes, a website with a low domain authority can have an issue with overlapping keywords. The issue is about competing with yourself, not about competing with other websites.
How does a canonical tag help with overlapping keywords?
A canonical tag tells search engines which version of a page is the preferred one to index. It is used to manage duplicate content issues and to prevent a search engine from getting confused by a page with similar content.
