Keyword Cannibalization Checker
Find searches where two or more of your own pages compete with each other, using your real Google data. Your file is analysed in your browser and never uploaded.
What keyword cannibalization is
Keyword cannibalization happens when two or more pages on your site target the same search. Instead of one strong page ranking well, Google keeps switching between them, and each gets only part of the clicks, links and attention. The usual symptoms: rankings that jump up and down for a query, the “wrong” page showing in results, or two of your URLs alternating in Search Console.
Not every overlap is a problem. Big sites naturally rank several pages for broad terms. It becomes a problem when pages with the same intent split clicks for an important query, which is exactly what the severity rating highlights.
How to get the right data
The checker needs query and page in the same row. The normal Search Console export puts queries and pages in separate tabs, so use one of these instead:
- Search Analytics for Sheets (free Google Sheets add-on): connect Search Console, group by Query and Page, run, then File → Download → CSV.
- Looker Studio: a table with Query and Landing Page dimensions plus Clicks, Impressions and Average Position, exported to CSV.
- Semrush, Ahrefs or another rank tracker: the “organic keywords” or “positions” export already lists each keyword with its ranking URL.
Use at least the last 3 months of data so short-term ranking swaps don’t look like problems.
How severity is rated
- High: two pages both rank in the top 20 and the second page gets at least 30% of the impressions (or clicks) of the pair. Google genuinely can’t decide.
- Medium: the second page has 15–30% of the share.
- Low: one page clearly dominates; the other appears occasionally.
Fixing cannibalization
- Merge near-duplicate pages: combine the best content into the main page (marked ⭐) and 301-redirect the other URL to it.
- Differentiate pages that serve different needs: change titles, H1s and content so each targets a distinct intent (for example “best running shoes” vs “how to choose running shoes”).
- Point internal links for the query at the main page, with matching anchor text.
- Use a canonical tag only for true duplicates you need to keep (such as print or filter versions).
How to use the Keyword Cannibalization Checker
- Export query + page data from Search Analytics for Sheets, Looker Studio or your rank tracker.
- Drop the CSV or Excel file in, and optionally list your brand terms to ignore.
- Start with high severity: merge, differentiate or re-link the competing pages, then re-check in a month.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use the normal Search Console export?
Not directly. It lists queries and pages in separate tabs, without linking them. Use Search Analytics for Sheets (free) or Looker Studio to export query and page together.
Is my data uploaded?
No. The file is read and analysed entirely in your browser. Nothing is sent to our servers.
Should I always merge competing pages?
No. If two pages answer genuinely different questions, make that difference clearer instead. Merge only when they cover the same intent.