Keyword Cannibalisation
Your pages are fighting each other for the same keywords. When multiple pages target identical search terms, they compete against each other instead of your actual competitors.
The Keyword Cannibalisation Tool finds these conflicts and shows you exactly how to fix them.
What keyword cannibalisation costs you
When your pages compete internally, you lose ranking potential:
- Lower rankings for all competing pages
- Split link authority between multiple URLs
- Confused search engines that can't pick your best page
- Unstable traffic from fluctuating positions
How the tool helps you win
Spot the problems automatically
The tool scans your website's ranking data to find pages competing for the same keywords.
What you'll see:
- Multiple URLs ranking for identical keywords
- Position fluctuations showing internal competition
- Performance data for each competing page
Get AI-powered solutions
Click the AI button for comprehensive analysis that examines:
- Content overlap between competing pages
- Canonical tag implementation issues
- Whether each page serves a distinct purpose
- Specific recommendations tailored to your situation
How to use the cannibalisation tool
Reading the main table
The initial view shows keywords where multiple pages compete:
- Keyword: The search term causing competition
- Search Engine: Which search engine detected the issue
- Domain: Your website with cannibalisation problems
- Expand: Click the + icon to see detailed competing URL data
- Action: Contains the AI button for analysis and recommendations
Examining specific issues
To investigate a keyword conflict:
- Click any row or the + icon in the "Expand" column
- Review the subtable showing all competing URLs
- Check position data for each URL:
- Best Position: Highest ranking achieved
- Worst Position: Lowest ranking position
- Average Position: Mean ranking over time
Large gaps between best and worst positions often indicate pages competing with each other.
Getting AI analysis and recommendations
For comprehensive solutions:
- Click the AI button in the Action column
- Wait 15-30 seconds for analysis to complete
- Review the detailed recommendations
The AI analysis covers:
- Content overlap assessment
- Canonical tag verification
- User intent alignment for each page
- Specific solutions to resolve conflicts
Understanding canonical checks
The tool automatically checks canonical implementation:
Canonical Check Summary shows:
- Number of URLs analysed
- Errors and warnings detected
- Detailed explanations for each issue
Common problems include:
- Multiple pages with the same canonical URL
- Missing canonical tags
- Self-referencing canonicals that conflict with other signals
Fixing cannibalisation issues
Follow the recommended priority
1. Fix technical issues first
- Correct canonical tag problems
- Ensure proper implementation across all pages
2. Differentiate your content
- Make one page the primary target for the keyword
- Modify competing pages to target different search intents
- Add unique sections to distinguish each page's purpose
3. Adjust internal linking
- Point internal links to your chosen primary page
- Remove or redirect completely redundant content
4. Monitor your results
- Track ranking improvements over the following weeks
- Watch for more stable positions and better traffic
Content strategy recommendations
The AI analysis tells you:
- Which page should be your primary target
- How to modify content on competing pages
- Specific sections to add, change, or remove
- Title and heading suggestions for clearer focus
Technical implementation guidance
You'll get specific advice on:
- Canonical tag corrections
- Internal linking adjustments
- URL structure improvements
- When to use redirects for duplicate content
Understanding the impact
Why cannibalisation hurts rankings
When search engines find multiple similar pages, they:
- Struggle to determine which page deserves higher rankings
- Split ranking signals like backlinks between pages
- Often rank both pages lower than they would rank one strong page
What fixing it achieves
Improved rankings: Consolidating signals to one page typically boosts its position.
Stable positions: Eliminating internal competition leads to consistent rankings.
Better user experience: Visitors land on the most relevant page for their search.
Efficient crawling: Search engines focus on your important content instead of duplicates.
Common questions answered
How do I know which page to keep as primary?
The AI analysis examines content quality, user intent alignment, and current performance to recommend your strongest page for each keyword.
Should I delete competing pages?
Not usually. Most competing pages can be modified to target different keywords or search intents. Only delete pages with no unique value.
How long before I see ranking improvements?
You'll typically see stabilisation within 2-4 weeks after implementing fixes. Ranking improvements often follow within 4-8 weeks.
Can I have similar pages without cannibalisation?
Yes, if they target different search intents or keyword variations. The key is ensuring each page serves a distinct purpose for users.
What if the tool suggests contradictory recommendations?
Contact support with specific examples. Our team can provide manual analysis for complex cannibalisation scenarios.
How often should I check for cannibalisation?
Run checks monthly, or immediately after adding new content that might compete with existing pages.