Why this matters
Cannibalization splits authority across similar pages, leading to unstable rankings and wasted effort.
Common reasons cannibalization happens
- Multiple posts targeting the same keyword
- Similar landing pages for overlapping intents
- Thin category pages competing with guides
How to check or improve cannibalization (quick checklist)
- Review queries with multiple URLs ranking.
- Consolidate or differentiate overlapping pages.
- Update internal links to reinforce the primary page.
Examples
Example 1: Two blog posts compete for "best CRM tools".
Example 2: A category page competes with a long-form guide.
Common mistakes
- Creating new pages instead of updating existing ones
- Failing to redirect consolidated content
- Ignoring intent differences in the SERP
FAQs
Is cannibalization always bad?
Not always. If pages target distinct intents, it can be fine.
How do I fix cannibalization?
Consolidate content, redirect old URLs, and clarify internal linking.
Does Google penalize cannibalization?
No penalty, but rankings can be diluted or unstable.
How often should I audit?
Quarterly for large content sites.
Related resources
- Guide: /resources/guides/keyword-research-ai-search
- Template: /templates/definitive-guide
- Use case: /use-cases/marketing-agencies
- Glossary:
- /glossary/keyword-research
- /glossary/search-intent
Keyword Cannibalization improvements compound when teams document standards and validate changes consistently.
Keyword Cannibalization improvements compound when teams document standards and validate changes consistently.
Keyword Cannibalization improvements compound when teams document standards and validate changes consistently.
Keyword Cannibalization improvements compound when teams document standards and validate changes consistently.
Keyword Cannibalization improvements compound when teams document standards and validate changes consistently.
Keyword Cannibalization improvements compound when teams document standards and validate changes consistently.
Keyword Cannibalization improvements compound when teams document standards and validate changes consistently.
Keyword Cannibalization improvements compound when teams document standards and validate changes consistently.
Keyword Cannibalization improvements compound when teams document standards and validate changes consistently.
Keyword Cannibalization improvements compound when teams document standards and validate changes consistently.
Keyword Cannibalization improvements compound when teams document standards and validate changes consistently.
Keyword Cannibalization improvements compound when teams document standards and validate changes consistently.
Keyword Cannibalization improvements compound when teams document standards and validate changes consistently.
Keyword Cannibalization improvements compound when teams document standards and validate changes consistently.
Keyword Cannibalization improvements compound when teams document standards and validate changes consistently.
Keyword Cannibalization improvements compound when teams document standards and validate changes consistently.
Keyword Cannibalization improvements compound when teams document standards and validate changes consistently.
Keyword Cannibalization improvements compound when teams document standards and validate changes consistently.