Keyword Overlap (Keyword Cannibalization)

What is Keyword Cannibalization?

Basically, it’s when you have more than one page fighting to rank for the same keyword. Why is this bad? Well it’s not necessarily a bad thing. But it can cause search engines to be confused, resulting in a struggle to decide what page to rank for a given query.

I’m going to show you how to look for keyword overlap in three different ways.

Google Search Console

The best way is to use Google Search Console data. This is going to give you the most accurate list of competing pages.

First you need to be able to export Google Search Console data that includes: Query, Pages, Clicks, Impressions, CTR and Position. If you try to export this from the Google Search Console dashboard you won’t be able to get all of this data in one spreadsheet. You need to use the Google API in order to pull all the data that you need. But thanks to Mihai Aperghis, all you have to do is download a free Google Sheets Add-on called Search Analytics for Sheets.

After you’ve installed the Google Sheets Add-on, open it up. Make sure to choose the correct “Verified Site” and the date range that you want. The previous 30-90 days should do the trick. Under “Group By” you must select “Query” and “Page” otherwise you will not get the data that you need.

search-analytics-for-google-sheets

After you have your Google Search Console data, make a copy of my Keyword Overlap Finder for Google Search Console.

Template

(not sure how to do that?)

Copy the Google Search Console data you just pulled and paste it into the Keyword Overlap Finder for Google Search Console Google Sheet in the “Export” tab. After a few seconds, the “Results” tab will load a list of all keywords that have more than one page ranking for them.

finding-overlapping-keywords-in-google-search-console

If you do not have access to Google Search Console data you can use Ahrefs or SEMrush to look for keyword overlap.

Ahrefs

You will need an Ahrefs subscription. Once you are signed in, enter the domain name and search. On the left hand side click on “Organic Keywords”. Then click on “Export”. Choose “Full Export” for Microsoft Excel.

exporting-organic-keywords-from-ahrefs

After you have your Ahrefs data, make a copy of my Keyword Overlap Finder for Ahrefs.

Template

(not sure how to do that?)

Copy the Ahrefs Organic Keywords data you just pulled and paste it into the Keyword Overlap Finder for Ahrefs Google Sheet in the “Export” tab. After a few seconds, the “Results” tab will load a list of all keywords that have more than one page ranking for them.

finding-overlapping-keywords-using-ahrefs

SEMrush

You will need an SEMrush subscription. Once you are signed in, enter the domain name and search. Scroll down and click on “Top Organic Keywords”. Then scroll down to the “Organic Search Positions” section and click the “Export” button. Choose “All” and “Excel”.

exporting-top-organic-keywords-from-semrush

After you have your SEMrush data, make a copy of my Keyword Overlap Finder for SEMrush.

Template

(not sure how to do that?)

Copy the SEMrush Organic Search Positions data you just pulled and paste it into the Keyword Overlap Finder for SEMrush Google Sheet in the “Export” tab. After a few seconds, the “Results” tab will load a list of all keywords that have more than one page ranking for them.

find-overlapping-keywords-with-semrush

Further Reading:
https://strategiq.co/how-to-identify-keyword-cannibalisation/
https://moz.com/blog/how-to-use-search-analytics-in-google-sheets-for-better-seo-insights