Keyword Cannibalisation

Keyword cannibalisation happens when multiple pages on your website compete for the same search terms. Google sees similar content and can't decide which page to rank. Your pages fight each other instead of competing against external sites.

This splits your authority. Rankings fluctuate as Google and other search engines switch between your pages. You'll see unstable positions and missed opportunities.

Why fixing cannibalisation matters

When your pages compete internally, nobody wins. Traffic splits across multiple URLs. Your strongest page never reaches its full potential. Fix cannibalisation and Google knows exactly which page to rank. You'll consolidate authority, stabilise rankings, and capture more traffic.

Access the cannibalisation tool

Navigate to the Cannibalisation section in your main menu. The system loads automatically and displays keywords where multiple pages compete. You'll see a table showing every keyword with competing pages. Each row reveals the search engine, domain, and ranking positions.

Filter by domain

Use the domain dropdown at the top of the table. Select a specific domain to focus your analysis.

Choose "All Domains" to see cannibalisation across your entire portfolio. This works best when you manage multiple sites.

Understanding the table

The table displays one keyword per row. Click any keyword to expand full details.

Main columns

Keyword — The search term where pages compete.

Search Engine — Shows which search engine detected the issue (Google icon).

Domain — The website experiencing cannibalization.

Expand keyword details

Click any keyword row to reveal competing pages. The expanded view shows every URL that ranks for this term.

Page comparison table

Each competing page displays four metrics:

URL — The full page address.

Best — Highest ranking position achieved.

Worst — Lowest ranking position recorded.

Average — Mean position across recent checks.

Watch for pages with similar average positions. These compete most directly.

Select pages for analysis

When four or more pages compete, you'll see selection checkboxes. Pick up to three pages for detailed analysis. The system limits selections to maintain analysis quality. Three pages provide clear insights without overwhelming recommendations. A selection counter shows how many pages you've chosen. The system disables remaining checkboxes when you reach three.

Run the AI analysis

Click "Analyse with AI" after selecting pages. The system performs two checks:

Canonical analysis — Reviews technical setup to identify configuration issues.

Content analysis — Compares page content to recommend specific changes.

Both analyses complete within 30 seconds. Results appear directly below the page table.

Review canonical issues

The canonical check reveals technical problems. You'll see any pages pointing to the same canonical URL or missing canonical tags entirely.

Issue severity levels

Errors appear in red. These require immediate attention as they directly harm rankings.

Warnings appear in amber. Address these during regular maintenance cycles.

When no issues exist, you'll see a "No issues found" message. Technical setup is correct.

Understand content recommendations

The AI analysis provides an action plan. You'll see exactly which page should be primary for each keyword.

Action plan structure

The report starts with issue description. You'll understand why pages compete and what confusion this creates for Google.

Competing pages lists every URL involved. The system shows current focus versus recommended focus for each.

Primary page identifies which URL should rank. You'll see justification based on content depth and authority.

Implement content changes

Each page receives specific modification recommendations. Changes are organised by type for easy implementation.

Title changes

Current and recommended titles appear side by side. You'll see exact wording to use. The explanation tells you why this change resolves competition. Implement these first for quick impact.

Meta description updates

Recommended descriptions differentiate each page clearly. Updated descriptions help Google understand distinct page purposes.

Heading modifications

Current and recommended headings show precisely what to change. You'll see H1 and H2 updates that clarify page focus. These changes signal topic shifts to Google without requiring full content rewrites.

Content modifications

The system identifies specific sections needing changes. You'll see:

• Section — Which part of the page to modify
• Current text — Exact wording that creates confusion
• Recommended text — Replacement content to use
• Explanation — Why this change helps

Copy recommended text directly into your pages.

New sections to add

Some pages need additional content to differentiate properly. The system provides:

• Heading — Title for the new section
• Content — Full text to add
• Explanation — How this addition resolves cannibalization

Add these sections to strengthen unique page angles.

Sections to remove

Occasionally, removing content solves cannibalisation. The system identifies sections creating overlap. Delete these sections to sharpen page focus. You're eliminating confusion, not weakening content.

Priority system

Every recommendation includes a priority badge. This guides implementation order.

Immediate — Implement today. These changes directly impact current rankings.

Near-term — Complete within two weeks. Moderate impact on performance.

Can-wait — Add to your content roadmap. Lower urgency but still valuable.

Start with immediate priorities to see quick results.

Add tasks to your kanban (Action Board)

Each recommendation includes a plus button. Click it to send the task straight to your project management board.

Select a project

A dialog appears showing your available projects. Choose where this task belongs.

The system creates a kanban card with all details pre-filled. Title, description, and priority transfer automatically.

Task details

Kanban cards include:

• Page URL requiring changes
• Current state of content
• Recommended modifications
• Priority level

Your team sees exactly what needs changing without reviewing the full analysis.

Work through recommendations systematically

Start with your highest-volume keywords. Fix cannibalization here first for maximum impact. Review canonical issues before content changes. Technical problems can prevent content updates from working properly. Implement changes for one keyword completely before moving to the next. Partial fixes won't resolve competition.

Track your progress

The table updates when you re-check keywords. Successfully resolved cannibalisation removes keywords from the list. Monitor your average positions after implementing changes. You'll see positions stabilise and improve as Google understands page purposes clearly.

When pages should compete

Not all competition is bad. Sometimes you want different pages targeting the same term with different angles. Look for distinct search intents. A product page and comparison guide can both rank for the same keyword if they serve different user needs. The AI analysis identifies true cannibalisation versus intentional targeting. Follow recommendations that consolidate unintentional competition.

Common cannibalisation patterns

Blog posts versus service pages

Often, blog content competes with commercial pages. The recommendation typically makes the service page primary while adjusting blog focus to informational queries.

Old versus new content

Outdated pages sometimes rank alongside fresh content. Consider redirecting old URLs to new pages or completely rewriting legacy content.

Regional variations

Multiple location pages targeting the same terms create cannibalisation. Differentiate with location-specific content and distinct value propositions.

Pagination controls

Navigate through results using the page controls at the bottom. The counter shows your position in the full dataset. Jump to specific pages or move sequentially through results. The system maintains your domain filter as you navigate.

Get support

Questions about specific recommendations? Contact our support team through the help icon in your dashboard. We'll help you interpret analysis and prioritise fixes.