Is Your Website Suffering from Keyword Cannibalization?

What is Keyword Cannibalization? 

Simply put, keyword cannibalization occurs when multiple pages on your website target the same keyword or phrase. This can lead to confusion for search engines, which may struggle to determine which page should rank highest for that particular keyword. As a result, you may find that your website's overall search engine rankings suffers. 

When search engines are unsure which page should rank highest for a particular keyword, they may split search traffic between multiple pages. This can dilute the overall authority of your website and make it more difficult for any one page to achieve a high ranking. 

Ultimately, keyword cannibalization can be detrimental to your SEO efforts. 

Addressing Keyword Cannibalization 

Fortunately, there are several strategies you can use to address and prevent keyword cannibalization. These steps aren’t complicated, expensive, or particularly hard to do, but they do require an eye for detail and a commitment to improving your website’s performance. 

Conduct a thorough content audit 

Review all the pages on your website and identify any occasions of keyword cannibalization. Once you've identified these instances, you can begin to take steps to resolve them. 

Consolidate duplicate content 

If you have multiple pages targeting the same keyword or phrase, consider consolidating them into a single, comprehensive page. This will help to ensure that your website's authority is focused on one page rather than spread out across several. 

Use internal linking to your advantage 

Carefully consider how you link pages on your website. Rather than linking every page to every other page, focus on creating a clear hierarchy of content and linking pages that are related to each other. 

Perform regular keyword research 

Keep up with the latest trends in your industry and conduct regular keyword research to ensure that your website is optimized for the most important and relevant keywords. 

Focus on quality content 

Above all, prioritize creating high-quality, engaging content that provides value to your audience. When you focus on creating thoughtful and strategic content, you're more likely to naturally target the right keywords without falling victim to keyword cannibalization. 

Boost Your Site’s Search Rankings 

Keyword cannibalization is a common SEO mistake that can harm your website's search engine rankings. Fortunately, it’s a relatively straightforward fix if you follow some simple steps. 

By conducting a content audit, consolidating content, using links effectively, performing regular keyword research, and focusing on quality content, you can prevent keyword cannibalization and improve your local business website's overall SEO efforts.