How to Avoid Keyword Cannibalism?

Introduction

Keyword cannibalism is a serious issue that affects many websites, particularly those that have been around for a while and have amassed a large amount of content.

This phenomenon occurs when multiple pages on a website are targeting the same keyword or phrase, and as a result, they compete against each other for search engine rankings.

The problem with keyword cannibalism is that it can lead to a decrease in organic traffic and rankings for the affected pages.

This is because search engines may become confused about which page is the most relevant for the given keyword, and as a result, they may choose to show a different page than the one the website owner intended.

In this post, we will discuss the causes and effects of keyword cannibalism, as well as strategies for identifying and resolving this issue on your website.

Causes of Keyword Cannibalism

There are several reasons why keyword cannibalism occurs, and these include:

Duplicate content - When a website has multiple pages that contain the same or similar content, search engines may struggle to determine which page is the most relevant for the given keyword.

Poor site structure - If a website has a confusing structure or many pages, it can be difficult for search engines to understand which pages are the most important for a particular keyword.

Lack of keyword research - If a website owner has not conducted thorough keyword research, they may unintentionally create multiple pages that target the same keyword.

Poor internal linking - If a website has poor internal linking, search engines may struggle to determine which pages are the most important for a particular keyword.

Effects of Keyword Cannibalism

The effects of keyword cannibalism can be significant, and they include:

Decreased organic traffic - When multiple pages on a website are targeting the same keyword, they can compete against each other for search engine rankings, which can lead to a decrease in organic traffic.

Lower rankings - Search engines may become confused about which page is the most relevant for a given keyword, and as a result, they may choose to show a different page than the one the website owner intended.

Wasted resources - When website owners create multiple pages that target the same keyword, they may be wasting time and resources that could be better spent on creating new content or optimizing existing content.

Poor user experience - When a website has multiple pages that target the same keyword, it can be confusing for users who are trying to find the information they need.

Strategies for Identifying Keyword Cannibalism

The first step in addressing keyword cannibalism is to identify if it is occurring on your website. Here are some strategies you can use to identify keyword cannibalism:

Conduct a content audit - A content audit is a process of reviewing all the content on your website to identify any duplicates or similar content.

Analyze your search engine rankings - If you notice that your website is ranking for a particular keyword, but not the page you intended, it may be a sign of keyword cannibalism.

Use a keyword research tool - Conducting thorough keyword research can help you identify which keywords you should be targeting on your website.

Check your internal linking - Reviewing your internal linking structure can help you identify any pages that are competing against each other for search engine rankings.

Strategies for Resolving Keyword Cannibalism

Once you have identified keyword cannibalism on your website, you can take steps to resolve the issue. Here are some strategies you can use:

Consolidate content - If you have multiple pages that are targeting the same keyword, consider consolidating them into a single page.

Update content - If you have similar pages that target the same keyword, consider updating the content to make them more unique and distinct from each other.

Conclusion

In conclusion, keyword cannibalism is a common issue that affects many websites, and it can lead to a decrease in organic traffic and search engine rankings.

The causes of keyword cannibalism include duplicate content, poor site structure, lack of keyword research, and poor internal linking.

However, website owners can take steps to identify and resolve this issue by conducting a content audit, analyzing their search engine rankings, using a keyword research tool, and reviewing their internal linking structure.

By consolidating content and updating it to make it more unique and distinct, website owners can overcome keyword cannibalism and improve their website's search engine optimization.