What is “keyword cannibalization”?
Keywords are one of the most crucial components of an internet search since they’re used by search engines to rank search results. When trying to improve the rating of a piece of content, “keyword stuffing” was a typical practice. Attempts to penalize term stuffing with lower search rankings results in the unintended consequence of keyword cannibalization. When you use too many keywords that are the same or similar across your website’s content, it is known as keyword cannibalization. Search engines are unable to decide which material to rank higher and as a result, the website you don’t intend to prioritize may occasionally receive a higher position.
Ways to fix keyword cannibalization
Restructure your website
The most straightforward approach is to convert your most authoritative website into a landing page that links to other distinctive pages that fit under the general heading of your chosen keywords. Examine your website carefully to see whether it has a landing page that can compile all relevant pages with similar keywords. This will make it possible for visitors to choose the pages they want to explore in more detail. A reputed SEO company can help you create the ideal website for your business.
Merge content
When two pieces have the same readership and essentially convey the same message, you should combine them. Rewrite the two posts into a single, comprehensive one. That will improve your rankings and address the issue of keyword cannibalization. While it won’t always be the best option, combining material can frequently make things easier while also improving your website’s search engine optimization.
Remove and redirect
Put some 301 redirects in place if only one of your site’s several pages targeting the same goal needs to remain online. Remove the other pages and redirect their URLs after you have determined which of the cannibalizing pages is the strongest. Any internal links directing to the pages you remove must be updated. Over the following few weeks, you should notice the deleted URLs disappear from Google’s index.
De-optimise your page
Search engines use web crawlers that navigate the internet via links in order to comprehend the content of your page. It becomes confusing when two relevant pieces contain the same substance. Verify all of your SEO title tags in your favourite search engine optimization plugin to solve this issue quickly. Then, address any instances you notice of identical articles or web pages that use the same term.
Upgrade your internal links
If your website has web material that links to other content, you may be able to improve the links themselves. If you include a link to another piece of information or web page, a search engine may rank the connected content higher since links generate value for search engines. If you want to highlight and prioritize certain material on your website, try adding or modifying internal links such that less important content points to it.
Delete some content
Although it is extreme, you might want to consider completely deleting information, especially if it is no longer relevant to your website. If your company has expanded and an old blog post that includes particular keywords is still ranking higher than the web content you want, delete the article. If both pieces generate respectable organic traffic and business leads, don’t do this.
