What is Keyword cannibalization?
Keyword cannibalization happens when multiple pages on your website use the same keywords and have the same purpose. This can lower their search engine rankings because search engines have a hard time figuring out which page is the most relevant for those keywords.
Keyword cannibalization in SEO isn’t just about using the same keyword on many pages. You can use the same keyword on different pages if each page has its own specific purpose.
For example, let’s look at a Google search for “hotels in Paris France.” The search results show different types of content because people are looking for different things. Some might want travel guides about hotels in Paris, while others are ready to book a hotel right away. If you run a hotel website, you can make separate pages for these needs, using the same keyword on both pages without problems.
By doing this, you can better meet the different needs of users, possibly rank higher in search results for each type of content, and make your website more helpful by covering more topics.
Also, when it comes to branded keywords—those that include your brand name—there’s usually less worry about keyword cannibalization. Often, you can achieve multiple high rankings for the same branded keyword as long as each page meets a different need.
Take Apple as an example: It appears in the top three results for “MacBook Pro 13 inch.” Each page serves a unique role: one highlights the product features, another helps with the buying process, and a third provides detailed specifications. This approach helps Apple get more traffic without keyword cannibalization, as each page addresses a different need.
