Keyword Cannibalization

Definition

Keyword cannibalization occurs when two or more pages on your website target the same or very similar keywords, causing them to compete against each other in search results. Instead of having one strong page ranking well, you end up with multiple weaker pages splitting authority, backlinks, and click-through rates. Signs of cannibalization include: fluctuating rankings for a keyword, different pages appearing for the same query over time, and lower-than-expected traffic for competitive terms. To fix cannibalization: identify competing pages through Search Console or site:yourdomain.com searches, choose the strongest page as your canonical, consolidate content from weaker pages into the primary page, set up 301 redirects from removed pages, and use internal linking to signal which page should rank. Prevention is easier than cure — maintain a keyword map that assigns each target keyword to a single page.