What Is Keyword Cannibalization?
Keyword cannibalization happens when two or more pages on the same site target the same or very similar keywords, causing them to compete against each other in search results instead of one clear page ranking strongly.
How It Hurts Rankings
When multiple pages compete for the same query, search engines have to choose which one to rank, and that choice can shift over time — splitting authority, confusing relevance signals, and often resulting in both pages ranking worse than a single, consolidated page would.
How to Fix It
Start by identifying overlapping pages (a site audit or a simple site: search in Google often reveals it). From there, either consolidate the content into one strong page and 301 redirect the weaker one, or clearly differentiate the pages by search intent and keyword focus if there’s a genuine reason for both to exist. Updating internal links to point consistently to the page you want to rank also helps signal which one should win.
