Top Keyword Cannibalization Tools

TL;DR:

• Keyword cannibalization occurs when multiple pages target the same keyword, reducing visibility and traffic.
• Tools like Letterdrop, TrueRanker, Semrush, and SEOTesting can help identify keyword cannibalization.
• Free options like Google Search Console, Ahrefs, and ScreamingFrog are available but less efficient.
• To fix keyword cannibalization, combine pages or redirect them to a pillar page.
• Choose a keyword cannibalization tool based on budget and specific needs.

Keyword cannibalization is one of the many culprits behind drops in search rankings and traffic, but most people don't know how to find instances of keyword cannibalization or how to fix the issue.

Luckily, there are tools out there that can help you root out keyword cannibalization, with some offering more help than others.

What is Keyword Cannibalization?

Keyword cannibalization happens when multiple pages on a website target the same keyword and serve a similar purpose.

Here's an example from domyhomework123.com.

Ultimately, the authority of the keyword is divided among the competing pages, reducing their visibility on Google. None of the pages may rank as high as they could have on their own.

This results in lower click-through rates, fewer impressions, and decreased organic traffic, which in turn lowers conversion rates.

You can find keyword cannibalization issues manually by typing "site.yourwebsite.com (topic)" into Google — you'll be able to spot any similar articles from your site.

Alternatively, you can use tools to do it for you. Much faster.

Best Tools for Identifying Keyword Cannibalization

1. Letterdrop's Refresh Tool

Letterdrop was founded in 2021 by ex-Googlers, and among its suite of smart SEO tooling is the Pages to Refresh feature.

It integrates with your Google Search Console data and can show you which pages are cannibalizing one another.

In addition, it shows you all issues relating to SEO monitoring. This includes:

• pages that are almost ranking
• pages that need to be distributed
• pages that need to be merged or split
• pages with decaying traffic
• opportunities for People Also Ask

2. TrueRanker's SEO Cannibalization Tool

TrueRanker has a feature that scans your pages for keyword cannibalization. It works by tracking Google rankings through domain data projects.

It uses a simple alert system:

• A red bug icon means there's keyword cannibalization going on and your specified page is not ranking
• A blue bug icon means there's keyword cannibalization going on and your specified page is ranking

3. Semrush's Position Tracking Tool

You can track keyword cannibalization using the Semrush Position Tracking Tool and navigating to "Cannibalization."

You can adjust which pages and keywords are analyzed by keyword, URL, date, position, and more.

Here's what else the tool can do for you:

• Evaluate Cannibalization Health using metrics like Cannibalization Health Score, Affected Keywords, and Cannibalizing Pages
• Examine URLs ranking for multiple keywords
• Track trends and irregularities over time for keywords with multiple ranking pages, sorting by metrics such as Position or Estimated Traffic

4. SEOTesting's Keyword Cannibalization Report

SEOTesting has a keyword cannibalization feature that integrates with Google Search Console. It generates a report that shows the queries with one or more pages ranking for it.

You can export this report as a CSV file if you want.

A standout feature is that the tool tracks the results of changes you make to your pages to fix the cannibalization issue.

Free Keyword Cannibalization Tools

A common option to check for keyword cannibalization for free is with Google Search Console. You simply navigate to Queries and check which pages are ranking for the same keyword.

You can also use tools like Ahrefs and ScreamingFrog to download CSV files with the keywords you rank for and manually search the results for similar pages.

This isn't a great use of time though, and dedicated keyword cannibalization tools are far more efficient.

How to Fix Keyword Cannibalization

So, you've found pages cannibalizing each other.

To fix the issue:

1. Combine pages. For example, turn the information from competing pages on X to "A Complete Guide on X"
2. Redirect the competing page you might have deleted or subsumed with the consolidation in step one to one pillar page using a 301 redirect

Only combine your pages if the existing of the competing page is hurting site performance. Otherwise, you just need to differentiate the alternate page enough (and make sure you're using appropriate internal links) so that it's no longer a cannibalization issue.

Which Keyword Cannibalization Tool is Right For Me?

The right keyword cannibalization tool for you might come down to budget at the end of the day.

Any tool on this list would be a great choice for a company seriously thinking about SEO.

If you're interested in tracking all issues relating to updating your pages for SEO, reach out to us at Letterdrop.