Keyword cannibalization occurs when multiple pages on your website compete for the same keyword, potentially diluting your site’s ranking power. The “Keyword Cannibalization Detection” section identifies instances where this might be happening on your site.
What Is Keyword Cannibalization?
When more than one page on your website is optimized for the same keyword, these pages can end up competing against each other in search engine rankings. This competition can prevent any single page from ranking as highly as it could if it were the sole focus for that keyword.
Why Is This a Problem?
Keyword cannibalization can lead to lower rankings, reduced traffic, and a confusing user experience. Instead of consolidating your SEO efforts around a single, strong page, you’re spreading them across multiple pages, weakening their potential impact.
How to Use This Information
In the report, you’ll see a list of keywords that are ranking on multiple pages of your site. For each keyword, review the listed pages and consider taking the following actions:
- Consolidate Content: If multiple pages cover similar content, consider merging them into a single, comprehensive page that targets the keyword.
- Refocus Pages: If the pages serve different purposes, ensure that they are targeting different keywords or variations of the keyword to avoid direct competition.
- Canonical Tags: Use canonical tags to indicate the preferred version of the content to search engines, helping to consolidate ranking signals.
For more detailed strategies on addressing keyword cannibalization, visit our SEO knowledgebase.