What is keyword cannibalization? (3 Problems)

What is keyword cannibalization?

The Keyword Cannibalization refers to the targeted use of one and the same keyword, term or phrase on several pages of a website. Every single page of your website should refer to a Primary term (main keyword). So that this page can be clearly defined by the search engines as relevant for this term. This rules out the possibility of search engines choosing between similar Content have to decide.

As long as they are not too similar, cannibalization refers to not on the Variations use of keywords or terms on different pages. For example, if you optimize a page for "SEO service prices", search engines know that the terms "prices" and "costs" are synonyms. So if you want to optimize one page for "SEO service costs" and another for "SEO service prices", it makes sense to use the respective Content differentiate more strongly from one another.

The "SEO Service Prices" page can talk about the individual possible rates you charge for your service, while the "SEO Service Costs" page describes the specific costs of individual actions.

Why is the Keyword Cannibalization a problem?

The problem is when multiple pages are created for the same Keyword a Ranking take, Google does not know which page is most relevant for a particular search query.
Google crawls your site and sees dozens of different pages, all for the same Keyword are "relevant". But now Google will have to choose between the different pages the one that best answers the search query.

With this tactic you will NOT rank higher, so you'd better do without it. Besides, you will miss other great SEO opportunities:

Conversion Rate: Why waste your time with multiple sites that have the same goal, when one of them always has better conversion rates or higher Traffic will achieve? You should always concentrate your efforts on one side.
Internal Anchor text: If you have different pages with the same Keyword you are giving away the opportunity to focus the value of internal anchor text on one page.
External links: External links can change the Ranking of a website in the SERP's from Google improve. However, if you have different pages with the same Keyword then your external links will be divided among these different target pages. So you only give away senselessly Link Juiceinstead of concentrating it on one side!

How to solve the problem of cannibalization?

Use Canonicals
Instead of the same Keyword to replicate on every page, you'd better use variations of it. From there, you can link to the different canonicals (sources). This will enable Google to see which version is most relevant for each search query. Besides your SEO for Google, you should also never forget your users! Multiple pages with the same Keyword are not optimal for the user experience. And nothing is as important to Google as satisfied users.

301 Redirects use
Use 301 redirects when you Keyword Cannibalization have to fight. These offer you the possibility Link-Juice and the Relevance to focus on a single page. Use a 301 for each "duplicate" of your chosen website. Your visitors will then land on the right page and Google will rank the "most valuable" page for a search query.

In summary: instead of trying to make your website work for a single Keyword to rank, focus on Long Tail Keywords to be able to avoid these problems.

« Back to Glossary Index

FAQ

What is keyword cannibalization?

Keyword cannibalization is an SEO problem where multiple pages of a website are optimized for the same or similar keywords. This leads to a "battle" for the same number of visitors, which can have a lasting impact on the performance of the page.

Why is keyword cannibalization harmful?

Keyword cannibalization can be harmful as it wastes a lot of traffic that could otherwise be transferred to other pages. It can also lead to lower rankings for individual pages, as search engines try to identify the most relevant page among multiple pages targeted for the same keyword.

How do I know if a website is susceptible to keyword cannibalization?

There are a few ways to find out if a website may be prone to keyword cannibalization. For one, you can use Google Analytics to see which pages are optimized for the same keyword. Also, you can use an SEO tool like SEMrush to check rankings for specific keywords and see if multiple pages cover the same keywords.

Are there ways to avoid keyword cannibalization?

Yes, there are several ways to avoid or eliminate keyword cannibalization. First of all, make sure that each page has unique keyword targeting. Companies should also avoid having multiple pages that focus too much on similar keywords. It's also a good idea to optimize existing pages and make sure they are focused on a unique topic.

Can optimizing a page for specific keywords prevent keyword cannibalization?

Yes, optimizing a single page for the same or similar keywords can help prevent or minimize keyword cannibalization. By ensuring that each page has unique keyword targeting, you can prevent pages from competing for the same number of visitors.

Can changes to a page help eliminate keyword cannibalization?

Yes, changes to a page, such as changes to keywords, refining the content, or rebuilding the page structure, can eliminate or minimize keyword cannibalization.

Can creating new pages help avoid keyword cannibalization?

Yes, creating new pages can also help avoid keyword cannibalization by ensuring that each page is optimized for a unique keyword.

Can using a 301 redirect help avoid keyword cannibalization?

Yes, using a 301 redirect can help avoid keyword cannibalization by directing all visitors to a single page instead of spreading them across multiple pages.

Are there other ways to combat keyword cannibalization?

Yes, there are other ways to combat keyword cannibalization. For example, you can rename pages to achieve unique keyword targeting, or you can link to other pages to direct visitors to the most relevant ones.

Can the integration of structured data prevent keyword cannibalization?

Yes, integrating structured data into your pages can prevent keyword cannibalization by giving search engines additional information about the pages, giving them a better understanding of which pages are targeted for which keyword.