How to Check Keyword Cannibalization with Ahrefs (and Fix It)

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Keyword cannibalization is a common SEO issue that occurs when multiple pages on your website compete for the same keyword. This competition can confuse search engines, dilute your rankings, and negatively impact your overall SEO performance. Thankfully, tools like Ahrefs make it easier to identify and fix keyword cannibalization issues. In this article, we’ll cover how to use Ahrefs to detect and resolve keyword cannibalization step-by-step.

What Is Keyword Cannibalization?

Keyword cannibalization happens when two or more pages on your website target the same keyword or similar search intent. Instead of boosting your site’s rankings, these pages often compete against each other, resulting in:

  • Reduced visibility for both pages
  • Lower overall click-through rates (CTR)
  • Missed opportunities to rank higher for other related keywords

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For example, if you have two blog posts optimized for the keyword “best fitness tracker,” Google might have difficulty deciding which page to rank, leading to neither ranking as high as it could.

Why Ahrefs Is the Right Tool

Ahrefs is a powerful SEO tool that offers robust keyword and content analysis capabilities. It allows you to easily detect instances of keyword cannibalization and take corrective actions. Features like Site Explorer, Keywords Explorer, and Rank Tracker streamline the process of identifying competing URLs.

Step-by-Step: How to Check Keyword Cannibalization with Ahrefs

1. Use the “Site Explorer” Tool

  1. Enter Your Website URL: Open Ahrefs’ Site Explorer and input your domain name.
  2. Go to “Organic Keywords”: Navigate to the “Organic Keywords” report under the “Organic Search” tab.
  3. Filter for Keywords:
    • Filter the report by keywords where your site ranks in the top 20 positions.
    • Check for instances where multiple pages (URLs) are listed for the same keyword. These are potential cases of keyword cannibalization.

2. Use the “Position History” Feature

Ahrefs’ Position History feature shows the performance of your pages over time. Here’s how to use it:

  1. Search by Keyword: Look up the specific keyword in question using the search bar.
  2. Examine Overlapping URLs: If more than one page appears to be fluctuating for the same keyword, it signals cannibalization.
  3. Analyze Trends: Use the graph to see if one URL consistently outranks the other or if both are competing without clear dominance.

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3. Use the “Content Gap” Analysis

The Content Gap tool can help uncover keywords that overlap across multiple pages:

  1. Navigate to Site Explorer > Content Gap.
  2. Enter two or more pages suspected of cannibalizing each other.
  3. Identify overlapping keywords that might cause cannibalization.

Fixing Keyword Cannibalization

Once you’ve identified keyword cannibalization issues, you can take steps to resolve them effectively. Here’s how:

1. Consolidate Content

  • If two pages target the same keyword with similar content, consider merging them into one authoritative piece.
  • Redirect the weaker page to the stronger one using a 301 redirect.

2. Adjust Target Keywords

  • Re-optimize each page to target unique, complementary keywords.
  • Use Ahrefs’ Keywords Explorer to identify related terms with distinct search intent.

3. Use Internal Linking

  • Ensure your internal links guide users and search engines to the most relevant page for a keyword.
  • Use descriptive anchor text to reinforce your content’s focus.

4. Create a Canonical Tag

  • If you want to keep both pages, use a canonical tag to tell search engines which page to prioritize for ranking.

5. Monitor and Reassess

  • Regularly monitor your rankings using Ahrefs’ Rank Tracker to ensure your fixes are effective.
  • Revisit your keyword strategy periodically to avoid new instances of cannibalization.

Final Thoughts

Keyword cannibalization can silently hinder your SEO efforts, but tools like Ahrefs make identifying and fixing the problem manageable. By carefully analyzing your content and refining your keyword strategy, you can ensure that each page on your site ranks effectively and contributes to your SEO goals.

With Ahrefs, detecting keyword cannibalization doesn’t have to be a headache. Follow the steps above, and you’ll be well on your way to a streamlined, high-performing website.