Two or more pages of the website are splitting the impressions for the same search. Google tends to rank one strong page better than several half-relevant ones.
What it suggests
Google can’t tell which page should rank for the search, so it alternates between them and neither ranks as well as one clear page would. This is often called keyword cannibalisation.
When it’s suggested
SaaSMaestro looks at which pages Google showed for each search over the last 28 days, from Search Console. A search counts when it had at least 100 impressions and two or more pages each got at least a fifth of them.
The tip counts these searches (up to 25) and names the busiest one with its two main pages. It is an Info tip.
What to do
- Search for the named query yourself and open both pages. Decide which one answers it best.
- If the pages say much the same thing, merge them into the stronger one and redirect the other to it with a 301.
- If both need to stay, give each a distinct focus: rewrite titles, headings and content so only one targets the search, and link from the other page to it.
- If the competition is between two of your own websites instead, see Idea: settle query overlap.
When it goes away
SaaSMaestro rechecks its tips every day against the latest data. Once the rule no longer applies for 7 days, the tip drops off the board.
If you tick it off or dismiss it, it stays off the board unless the situation clears for at least 7 days and then returns, when it comes back as “Back again”.