Keyword Cannibalization vs Link Cannibalization

Two reports with similar names that catch very different problems. Here's the difference.

Keyword Cannibalization

What it checks: every keyword you currently rank for in Google Search Console, looking for cases where two or more pages on your site rank for the same keyword.

What it tells you: Google can't decide which of your pages should rank for that keyword, so it's splitting the signal between them. Neither page reaches its full ranking potential.

Where the data comes from: Google Search Console.

What to do about it:

• Consolidate — pick the strongest page, merge content from the other(s) into it, and 301-redirect the losers
• Differentiate — rewrite each page to target a more specific long-tail variant
• Reorganize internal links — push internal links (with the target keyword as anchor) to the page you want to rank

Link Cannibalization

What it checks: every anchor text on your site, looking for cases where the same anchor text links to different URLs across different posts.

What it tells you: you're confusing search engines about which page is the canonical destination for that anchor. If "best espresso machine" sometimes links to /best-espresso/ and sometimes to /espresso-buying-guide/, Google's signal is muddied.

Where the data comes from: Linkilo's own link analysis — no Search Console connection needed.

What to do about it:

• Pick one canonical destination for that anchor and update the other instances using Update URL
• Vary the anchor text — if both destinations are valid, give each a distinct anchor

Summary

Both reports live under Linkilo → Reports.