Strategic placement of keywords is the prerequisite to robust search engine optimization. However, many website owners can go too far with keyword stuffing, hampering their effectiveness, as keyword cannibalization in SEO confuses the algorithms and worsens ranking.
To achieve the desired positions, maintaining a careful balance between quantity and quality of keywords is essential. This way, webmasters can avoid keyword cannibalism while still advancing their websites up in the ranks.
In this article, we define cannibalization, explore the concept of keyword cannibalization SEO, and learn how to avoid keyword cannibalization in search optimization altogether. This way, businesses can fortify their online presence and improve search engine rankings.
UNDERSTANDING KEYWORD CANNIBALISM
Keyword cannibalism, or keyword cannibalization in SEO, is a common challenge that impacts search engine rankings. It occurs when multiple pages on a website target the same keywords, creating confusion for search engines and diluting the effectiveness of the SEO strategy. Most often it comes as a result of inconsiderate keyword stuffing that greatly devalues the impact of each individual keyword on overall ranking, rendering all SEO efforts for one page or article null.
The search algorithms like Google tend to react harshly to keyword stuffing, resulting in more keyword cannibalism. The consequences of keyword cannibalization in SEO are far-reaching, affecting visibility, authority, and credibility. The internal competition leads to a decline in rankings, reduced organic traffic, and a compromised user experience.
As it can destroy your online visibility entirely, identifying keyword cannibalization is critical for all SEO specialists. A simple search like "Domain + keywords" can unveil instances of keyword cannibalization, providing insights into potential conflicts. For instance, if a dog care business notices an older dog food blog post ranking higher than a recent one, it signals a case of keyword cannibalization. Once the problem is discerned, it is essential to fix keyword cannibalization. Addressing it requires a strategic approach to consolidate authority around specific keywords.
HOW TO FIX AND PREVENT KEYWORD CANNIBALIZATION IN SEO
To fix keyword cannibalization issues, webmasters can create unique content, delete irrelevant or repetitive pages, remove keywords selectively, and optimize internal linking structures to resolve SEO keyword cannibalization. These actions send clear signals to search engines about the primary source for specific keywords, mitigating internal keyword cannibalization.
These are, however, emergency measures. Businesses can benefit greatly from retaining awareness about keyword cannibalization in SEO and trying to avoid it entirely.
Here are 5 strategies webmasters can implement to block and prevent keyword cannibalism.
Merge Content
Merging similar content onto a single page is an effective strategy to prevent keyword cannibalism, simplifying the website's structure and enhancing search engine optimization. It can help make the content more generalized and interesting to the average reader or viewer as well.
Delete Content
Deleting irrelevant or outdated content is an extreme but sometimes necessary measure to eliminate cannibalization problems and ensure a streamlined SEO strategy. This way, you can ensure older keywords do not cannibalize newer ones, and your fresh content consistently remains on top of SEO efforts.
Remove Keywords
Selectively removing keywords from non-critical content simplifies the content and reduces the risk of keyword cannibalization SEO, offering a simple and effective solution. It can improve the overall quality of content too, as fewer keywords often translate into more comprehensive texts and easier understating.
Alter Your Internal Linking
Optimizing internal linking is crucial for preventing internal keyword cannibalization. By ensuring that less important content links to high-priority pages, businesses can signal to search engines which content deserves precedence.
Change Inbound Link Requests
Addressing external factors, such as inbound links, is crucial to preventing SEO cannibalization. Tracking backlinks and modifying or removing links from influential websites can strengthen SEO rankings and minimize conflicts.
Preventing future instances of keyword cannibalization involves additional proactive measures. Regular SEO audits, content updates, and refined internal linking structures contribute to maintaining relevance and hierarchy. Implementing a robust content strategy ensures unique and valuable content for each page, preventing future occurrences of keyword cannibalization SEO.
AVOIDING TRADEMARK INFRINGEMENT AND BRAND BIDDING
When implementing a comprehensive SEO strategy, it is essential to avoid abuse of competitors’ branded keywords, known as brand bidding, at all costs. It is a ‘black hat’, unethical strategy that can lead to harsh punishment by search engines but also potential legal costs, as brand bidding might spill into an outright infringement.
Infringements on competitors’ trademarks may pose legal and reputational risks. Paid search affiliate monitoring campaigns and collaborating with legal teams are crucial steps in preventing such conflicts.
Brand Bidding
Clear guidelines for brand-related keywords and strategic use of negative keywords in advertising campaigns are effective measures to minimize issues with potential brand abuse. Though brand bidding is not illegal outright, it should be used carefully to avoid potential repercussions.
