Keyword Cannibalisation
Keyword cannibalisation happens when several pages on your own site target the same keyword and end up competing with each other. Instead of one strong page ranking well, you get several weaker ones splitting the signals and confusing Google about which to show.
It is surprisingly common on larger sites and easy to overlook, because each individual page can look perfectly reasonable on its own.
How to Spot It
A few symptoms reliably give it away once you know what to look for.
- Rankings for a term that flip between different URLs over time.
- Multiple pages with very similar titles and topics.
- None of the competing pages ranking as well as you would expect.
How to Resolve It
The fix is to consolidate the intent onto one clear, authoritative page.
- Decide which page should own the keyword.
- Merge or 301-redirect the weaker pages into it.
- Re-target any remaining pages at distinct, related terms.
Preventing It in Future
Cannibalisation is far easier to prevent than to untangle. A simple content map that assigns one primary keyword to each page, checked before anything new is published, stops the problem taking root and keeps your site's structure clear as it grows.
If you need a hand with any of this, your Progressive Robot delivery team is ready to help. Raise a ticket from the Support area of your client portal or speak to your account manager and we will guide you through the next steps.