What is keyword cannibalisation?
Cannibalisation is when two of your own pages target the same keyword and end up getting in each other's way.
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What is keyword cannibalisation?
Cannibalisation is when two of your own pages target the same keyword and end up getting in each other's way.
Google chooses one page from your site per search query. If you have three competing for the same term, they fluctuate and none of them maintain a consistently high ranking.
You can spot it in Search Console: multiple URLs alternating for the same keyword.
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Geschreven door: Lubna Ouarghi
Why it matters
It's a waste: you've written content three times and rank lower than you would with one strong page.
It often happens with old blog posts alongside new service pages, and with location pages that are virtually identical.
How we approach it
We start by mapping your entire site, assign one owner per keyword, and resolve the rest: merging with a 301 redirect or repositioning them clearly.
We only merge pages with your approval, because it means a URL will disappear.
Frequently asked questions
Should I delete duplicate pages?
Usually, merge them: put the best content onto one page and permanently redirect the other.
Can I still create location-specific pages?
Yes, as long as they are genuinely different. The same copy with a different location name is both cannibalisation and thin content.
Bronnen en controle
Laatst bijgewerkt en gecontroleerd: September 2026 — door Lubna Ouarghi
This explanation is based on the official documentation below and on my own work in client projects.
- Google Search Central — SEO Starter Guide — what SEO is and where to start
- Google Search Central — Do you need an SEO specialist? — what a specialist does and what to look out for
- Google Search Essentials — the rules your site must comply with
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