---
title: "Detect keyword cannibalization in Search Console"
description: "Detect cannibalization before fixing it. Export the Performance report by page and query, group queries where several URLs receive impressions, and confirm by watching which URL ranks over time. Distinguish true cannibalization from legitimate intent splits before acting."
url: "https://seo-mcp.io/t/detect-keyword-cannibalization-in-search-console"
---

# Detect keyword cannibalization in Search Console

Detect cannibalization before fixing it. Export the Performance report by page and query, group queries where several URLs receive impressions, and confirm by watching which URL ranks over time. Distinguish true cannibalization from legitimate intent splits before acting.

## Prerequisites

- Search Console Performance access with page and query dimensions

## Steps

1. **Export page and query dimensions** — In the Performance report, set the page dimension and query dimension, then export. Group by query and count distinct URLs with impressions.
   Check: The export contains at least one query with three or more distinct ranking URLs.
2. **Confirm with ranking history** *(general best practice)* — For the top candidates, check the ranking URL across four weekly exports. Alternating URLs confirm cannibalization rather than an intent split.
   Check: A query is marked as confirmed cannibalization when its top URL changes at least twice in four weeks.
3. **Document winners and automate** *(general best practice)* — Record the intended winner per query cluster and schedule the export monthly. Add new conflicts to the fix backlog.
   Check: A monthly report exists with confirmed clusters and assigned winners.

## Source

@seo-mcp on 2026-10-19: https://support.google.com/webmasters

Canonical: https://seo-mcp.io/t/detect-keyword-cannibalization-in-search-console