Discover and Resolve SEO Keyword Cannibalization for Free
Table of Contents:
- Introduction
- Understanding Keyword Cannibalization
- Identifying Keyword Cannibalization Issues using Google Search Console
- Analyzing the Performance Report in Google Search Console
- Finding Pages with Keyword Cannibalization
- Evaluating the Pages Ranking for the Same Keyword
- Choosing the Primary Page to Rank
- Optimizing the Primary Page for the Targeted Keyword
- Fixing Keyword Cannibalization Issues
- Using SEMrush to Identify Cannibalization Issues
- Analyzing Duplicate Keywords in SEMrush
- Optimize and De-optimize Pages for Cannibalization Issues
- Conclusion
Understanding Keyword Cannibalization
Keyword cannibalization is a common issue that many websites face, leading to a lower ranking on search engine results pages. In this article, we will explore the concept of keyword cannibalization and discuss how to identify and fix this issue using Google Search Console.
Keyword cannibalization occurs when multiple pages on a website compete for the same keyword. Instead of having one page that ranks well for a specific keyword, the website ends up having multiple pages that target the same keyword, ultimately diluting the ranking potential.
To identify keyword cannibalization issues, we will utilize the powerful features of Google Search Console. This tool provides valuable insights into how your website is performing in search engine results and helps you identify pages that are ranking for similar keywords.
Identifying Keyword Cannibalization Issues using Google Search Console
To start the process of identifying and resolving keyword cannibalization issues, log in to your Google Search Console account and navigate to the performance report. Click on the queries tab and set the date range to the last 12 months to ensure comprehensive data analysis.
Scroll down and filter the queries by impressions, focusing on the keywords that have the highest impressions. These keywords are crucial as they drive significant traffic to your website.
Go through the list and identify important keywords that you want to rank high for. Click on one of the keywords to examine if there are multiple pages ranking for it. For example, let's consider the keyword "dental implants orange county."
Analyzing Duplicate Keywords in SEMrush
Duplicate keywords can also be identified using SEMrush, an advanced SEO tool. By typing in your domain and clicking on positions, you can view all the keywords that your website is ranking for.
Export the list and highlight any duplicate keywords by using conditional formatting in Excel. This will help you identify cannibalization issues that may not appear in Google Search Console.
For instance, SEMrush reveals that the keyword "dental implants orange county" has cannibalization issues between the dental implants page and the multiple teeth replacement page. Analyze these pages to optimize the one you want to rank for and de-optimize the other.
Optimize and De-optimize Pages for Cannibalization Issues
To resolve keyword cannibalization, optimize the primary page you want to rank for and de-optimize the other pages targeting the same keyword.
Start by optimizing the primary page by ensuring that the content matches the query and removing any instances of the targeted keyword from the de-optimized pages. You can also create internal links pointing to the primary page from the de-optimized pages.
For example, if you want the "dental implants" page to rank for "dental implants orange county," update its header to remove the mention of "orange county." Additionally, consider adding internal links from other relevant pages to strengthen the primary page's ranking.
By following these steps, you can effectively fix keyword cannibalization issues and improve your website's overall SEO performance.
In conclusion, keyword cannibalization can limit your website's potential in search engine rankings. However, by leveraging tools like Google Search Console and SEMrush, you can identify and resolve cannibalization issues, ensuring that each page targets unique keywords and maximizing your website's visibility in search results.
