What a cannibalization analysis finds
The team sees every instance where two or more pages compete for the same query. The analysis cross-references query-level data across all pages: where Google shows multiple pages from the same site, where position fluctuates because Google keeps switching which page to display, and where both pages rank but neither cracks the top 5, which is a classic sign of split authority.
For each conflict, both pages get scraped and compared: content scope, heading structure, keyword focus. Conflicts are grouped by severity. A high-volume keyword where both pages are stuck outside the top 5 is critical. One page ranking well while the other dilutes it is moderate. Minor overlap with little traffic impact is low. Each conflict comes with a specific verdict: merge page B into page A with a 301 redirect, keep both but sharpen each page's keyword focus so they stop competing, or archive the weaker page entirely.
Why cannibalization is hard to find manually
Cannibalization does not show up in standard SEO audits. Two pages can both rank on page 1 for different queries and still cannibalize each other on a third query the team did not check. It also hides in position volatility: if a page fluctuates between position 5 and position 15 from week to week, it may be because Google keeps switching which page to show. The only reliable way to find it is to cross-reference query-level data across all pages, which is what this flow does with Search Console data.