/ SEO
What is keyword cannibalisation?
Two or more of your pages competing for the same term, so Google splits signals and neither ranks well.
/ 01
The short version
It's extremely common on sites that have grown page by page without a plan.
/ 02
What actually matters
- • Symptoms: rankings flip between two URLs, or both sit on page 2–3.
- • Common between a service page and a blog post about the same topic.
- • Fix by consolidating, or by clearly differentiating intent.
- • Point internal links consistently at the page you want to win.
- • Redirect the loser if the pages are near-duplicates.
/ 03
The bit most people get wrong
Deleting isn't always right. Often the blog post should stay but be retitled toward the informational query and link to the service page.
/ 04
What to do next
In Search Console, filter by your main keyword and check how many of your URLs appear. More than one is a warning.
/ 05
Where RIOT fits in
We're a small Colchester studio helping UK SMBs get keyword cannibalisation right without agency waste or freelancer flake. If you've read this far and you want a second opinion on your specific setup, book a 20-minute call and we'll tell you honestly whether it's worth doing anything at all.
We work with clients across Essex, Suffolk, London and the wider UK — and remotely with brands abroad. No lock-in, no monthly retainer minimums, no pretending your problem is bigger than it is.
/ FAQs
Common questions
Does it always hurt?
Not always, but on head terms it usually does.
How do I choose which page wins?
The one with the strongest links and best conversion.
Still not sure?
Book a free 20-minute call — we'll answer your specific version of this question with no sales pitch.
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