Redefining SEO Cannibalisation: Friend or Foe?
Cannibalisation in SEO is when multiple pages from the same website compete for the same search query.
Traditional SEO perspective considers cannibalisation as a pressing issue that needs to be rectified.
Recent detailed review of keywords has shown cannibalisation may sometimes work to your advantage.
However, there are situations where cannibalisation can negatively impact your SEO.
Steering through cannibalisation effectively requires a strategic approach and understanding of your audience's search intent.
To effectively use cannibalisation strategy, a thorough SEO audit and continuous monitoring are required.
Traditionally, cannibalisation in SEO theory is seen as a no-no. It's the SEO equivalent of shooting yourself in the foot. Simply put, cannibalisation happens when multiple pages on your website, try to rank for the same keyword in a search engine's results. Imagine running a race, and your own teammates start competing against you, rather than the actual competition. Doesn't make much sense, right? Standard SEO wisdom would advise us to steer clear of such scenarios.
Recent research, however, suggests that this traditional view towards cannibalisation may be a tad too prehistoric. After a careful review of a series of keywords, it was learned that there's a possibility SEO cannibalisation could sometimes be your non-traditional path to success. Yes, you read it right. Sometimes, having multiple pages rank for the same keyword might pitch your website as a subject matter expert to the search engines. This could potentially give you more search visibility and enhance your authority on the topic. An' you thought SEO was a straight road, didn't ya?
But don't get too cocky just yet. There are a number of situations where cannibalisation could still hurt your SEO if not implemented strategically. For instance, multiple pages competing for a search query can confuse search engines and cause them to choose the wrong page, potentially leading to lower traffic and conversions. Furthermore, if your website has too many similar pages with thin, low-quality content, you might lose credibility in the eyes of search engines and your audience. Maybe cannibalisation isn't your best mate after all.
Treading the fine line of SEO cannibalisation, thus requires a deep understanding of your audience's search intent. It's about not just following road. Instead, it's about crafting strategic pages that meet specific search needs. For example, if you run an ecommerce website selling football boots, you could create separate pages for "Best Football Boots," "Football Boots Reviews," and "Cheap Football Boots," and they would all cater to different search intents. The trick is to ensure your pages add value, each in their unique way, rather than becoming duplicate content clones.
To add a cherry on top, a thorough SEO audit and continuous monitoring of your website's performance is essential if you are planning to walk down the cannibalisation lane. Keep a close eye on your Google Search Console data and regularly analyse your website's organic traffic flow. Monitor how your pages are competing against each other and adjust your strategies accordingly. Let's not forget; SEO is an iterative process, constantly evolving just like the digital world we live in.
Now, from a web designer’s lens, this redefined view of SEO cannibalisation uncovers a hidden layer of complexity in our work. It adds yet one more facet that we need to account for when we map out our sites. Imagine trying to beat your own high score in a video game, 'cept the game is continually changing. Aye, it might feel a bit odd, but the potential rewards are tantalising. But remember, like I always say, “With great SEO power, comes great responsibility.” After all, what's life without a bit of challenge, eh? In the vast, constantly changing world of SEO, we'll just need to keep evolving, and be respectful to our friendly neighborhood cannibalisation. Or, as we say in Liverpool, "Keep your eyes peeled and your wits about you!" Cheers!