Oh yes, it happens. And when it happens, it’s not pretty Keyword cannibalization.
Keyword cannibalization is the phenomenon that occurs when you create content for keywords in the SERPs that ultimately “steal” the ranking position from the actual keyword you want to rank for.
Essentially, one page eats the other in the SERPs.
Check your keywords in SEOptimer to employment database find out exactly which content is ranking for your tracked keywords and pay attention to any instances of keyword cannibalization you encounter.
If so, review the content and optimize it for the right keywords.
Or, if you see fit, you could also consider merging the content that already ranks for that keyword with the one you wanted to rank and creating a 301 redirect from the old URL to the new one.
The strategic keyword ranking analysis
Without data, you can’t have an effective strategy.
This is especially true for SEO – one of the most data-intensive areas in marketing.
In addition to a preliminary analysis of keyword rankings, you should also conduct a more in-depth strategic analysis of your keyword data.
This will make you aware of the validity baltimore chicago cleveland of your keyword strategy, as well as all your other work that uses keywords as a focal point, such as content production , promotion, and link building.
Doing this ensures that your strategy is constantly adapting and that you have the tools to change it when needed.
Are you tracking the right keywords?
Keywords are your ticket to being found in search engines, and I’m sure you’re tracking all the important ones that you’re desperate to rank for.
But—are you?
When I first set up my SEOptimer clean email account for keyword tracking, I wasted several keyword slots on low-priority keywords that I didn’t need to track.
Simply put, they weren’t the right keywords for me.
Instead, I needed to focus on niche or industry keywords that could attract customers or build my community.