Keyword cannibalization has long been a buzzword in the SEO world. The idea is simple: if multiple pages on your site are targeting the same keyword, they’ll compete with each other and hurt your rankings. But according to Google’s John Mueller, the concern is often overblown — and SEOs may be better off focusing on other issues.
What Is Keyword Cannibalization?
Keyword cannibalization is the belief that multiple pages optimized for the same keyword will confuse Google and reduce overall visibility. Many SEOs tie this idea to duplicate content concerns.
The problem? The term itself doesn’t point to a real SEO issue. Instead, it often serves as a convenient label for low-ranking pages without addressing the actual causes.
What John Mueller Says
When asked about avoiding cannibalization in Search Console data, Mueller explained that different pages ranking for the same query is not a problem. In fact, it can be a good thing.
His main points:
- If Search Console shows multiple pages ranking for a query, it means they were actually displayed in results — not just hypothetically.
- Having multiple pages appear in search results isn’t harmful by itself.
- The real focus should be on reducing unnecessary duplication and building strong, useful pages.
As Mueller put it:
“If you have 3 different pages appearing in the same search result, that doesn’t seem problematic to me just because it’s more than one. You need to look at the details, you need to know your site, and your potential users.”
The Real SEO Problems
If your pages aren’t ranking, keyword cannibalization likely isn’t the culprit.
The real issues might include:
- Content that’s too long and unfocused
- Off-topic or irrelevant passages
- Weak internal linking
- Thin or shallow content
- Pages that are near-duplicates of each other
These are the issues that drag performance down — not the fact that two or more pages happen to rank for the same keyword.
The Takeaway
The fuss about keyword cannibalization says more about the SEO community’s love for simple labels than about Google’s algorithms. Instead of worrying about two pages ranking for the same term, SEOs should ask:
- Is the content useful?
- Is it well-structured and internally linked?
- Does it meet user needs better than competing pages?
When you evaluate pages with those questions in mind, “keyword cannibalization” usually disappears, and the true issues become clear.
At SEO Guru NYC, our team of SEO experts in New York helps businesses cut through the noise and focus on what truly matters for rankings. Instead of chasing myths like keyword cannibalization, we build strategies that improve content, internal linking, and site structure. Ready to boost your visibility with smarter SEO? Contact today and let’s optimize your site for lasting results.
