Is SEODoc really free?

Yes. SEODoc is free to use. No sign-up, no credit card, and no limits on audits.

How many pages does it crawl?

SEODoc finds and checks up to 100 pages per audit using your sitemap and internal links.

What does each score measure?

Nine areas: titles and tags, speed, security, schemas, content, mobile, links, social tags, and technical SEO. Each gets a score from 0 to 100.

How is the total score found?

Each area has a weight. Titles and technical SEO count the most at 22% each. Speed is 15%, security 12%, and links 10%.

Blog/April 17, 2026•4 min read

Cannibalization

Cannibalization in SEO refers to the phenomenon where multiple pages on a website compete with each other for the same keywords, leading to a dilution of search engine rankings and a decrease in online visibility. In today's digital landscape, it's not uncommon for businesses to have multiple pages targeting the same keywords, but when done incorrectly, it can have severe consequences.

So, how can you identify and fix cannibalization on your website? In this article, we'll walk you through the process, using SEODoc audit tools to surface these issues automatically and provide actionable recommendations.

What is Cannibalization in SEO?

Cannibalization occurs when two or more pages on a website are targeting the same keywords, leading to a split in search engine rankings and a decrease in overall online visibility. This can happen due to various reasons, such as:

Duplicate content: When multiple pages have similar or identical content, it can lead to cannibalization.
Keyword stuffing: Overusing keywords on multiple pages can cause search engines to penalize your website.
Page duplication: Having multiple pages with similar content or structure can lead to cannibalization.
Lack of clear hierarchy: When website pages are not properly organized or lack a clear hierarchy, it can cause cannibalization.

Cannibalization can be particularly problematic for businesses with large websites or those that have undergone significant changes in their online presence.

How to Identify Cannibalization on Your Website

Identifying cannibalization on your website requires a thorough analysis of your website's content, structure, and search engine rankings. Here are some steps you can take:

Conduct a technical audit: Use SEODoc audit tools to identify technical issues, such as duplicate content, keyword stuffing, and page duplication.
Analyze search engine rankings: Use tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush to analyze your website's search engine rankings and identify pages that are competing with each other for the same keywords.
Review website content: Manually review your website's content to identify duplicate or similar content.
Check website structure: Review your website's structure to ensure that it is clear and well-organized.

By following these steps, you can identify potential cannibalization issues on your website and take steps to address them.

How to Fix Cannibalization on Your Website

Fixing cannibalization on your website requires a strategic approach. Here are some steps you can take:

Merge duplicate content: Combine similar or identical content into a single page.
Remove keyword stuffing: Review your website's content and remove excessive keyword usage.
Optimize page structure: Ensure that your website's structure is clear and well-organized.
Use 301 redirects: Use 301 redirects to point duplicate or similar content to a single, canonical page.
Use canonical tags: Use canonical tags to indicate the preferred version of a page.

By following these steps, you can fix cannibalization on your website and improve your search engine rankings and overall online visibility.

Conclusion

Cannibalization is a common issue in SEO that can significantly impact search engine rankings and online visibility. By identifying and fixing cannibalization on your website, you can improve your online presence and drive more traffic to your website. SEODoc audit tools can help you surface these issues automatically and provide actionable recommendations for improvement. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can fix cannibalization on your website and achieve better search engine rankings and online visibility.

Additional Resources

For more information on cannibalization and SEO, check out the following resources:

Moz's Whiteboard Friday on cannibalization: Tom Capper's in-depth explanation of cannibalization and how to fix it.
SEODoc audit tools: Use SEODoc audit tools to identify and fix cannibalization on your website.
Ahrefs and SEMrush: Use these tools to analyze your website's search engine rankings and identify cannibalization issues.

By following these resources, you can gain a deeper understanding of cannibalization and how to fix it on your website.