How to Solve Keyword Cannibalization

Keyword cannibalization happens when multiple pages on your website optimize for the same keywords, causing them to compete against each other in search engine results. Instead of a dominant page securing top rankings, you end up with a handful of low-impact pages sharing the clicks, diluting the ranking power, and distributing link equity. Crawlers struggle to determine the most authoritative page, potentially decreasing your content’s reach.

You may notice keyword cannibalization when observing multiple pages appearing for identical search terms but none are achieving the rankings you hoped for. You may also notice fluctuating or shrinking traffic, or unstable performance between similar pages. You might also observe internal links pointing to multiple pages targeting the same topic, scattering the SEO value that should be unified on one strong page.

The first step is to perform a thorough website analysis. Leverage SEO tools such as Ahrefs, SEMrush, 横浜市のSEO対策会社 or Google Search Console to find URLs targeting overlapping keywords. Examine pages sharing matching H1s, descriptions, and content angles. Once you’ve identified the conflicting pages, choose the most authoritative URL to represent the keyword. It must be the page featuring the most comprehensive content, the greatest number of inbound links, and the best engagement metrics.

Alternative strategies for these pages include: Implement 301 redirects to funnel traffic to the primary page if they’re unneeded. Optimize them for distinct, complementary keywords so they serve a unique purpose. For example, instead of having three pages all targeting "best running shoes," you could have a primary page about "best running shoes for beginners," a secondary one on "best running shoes for marathoners," and a third focused on "best running shoes for overpronators". This way, each page answers a different user intent and supports the others without competing.

Revise your internal linking strategy to reflect these changes. Point all relevant internal links toward your chosen primary page to amplify its SEO equity. Ensure that title tags and headers accurately represent each page’s specific topic to minimize future keyword overlap.

Consistently tracking your keyword rankings and keeping your content strategy organized will help prevent keyword cannibalization from creeping back in. Remember, SEO thrives on clarity and focus. By resolving keyword overlaps and defining clear content roles, you enhance your site’s ranking potential and increase your likelihood of securing top positions.