Keyword cannibalization happens when two or more pages on your website target the same keyword or the same search intent, which makes search engines unsure about which page should rank. For example, if you have two blog posts both optimized for “local SEO checklist” or two service pages both trying to rank for “website speed optimization,” Google may treat them as competing options rather than complementary resources. Instead of building one strong page that clearly deserves the top position, your site ends up sending mixed signals. This can happen even if the pages are not identical—if they answer the same question for the same type of user, they can still cannibalize each other. In simple terms, keyword cannibalization is when your own pages “fight” each other in Google results, and you lose the chance to rank your best page consistently.
The biggest problem with keyword cannibalization is that it often leads to unstable rankings and weaker traffic growth. You might notice that one week Page A ranks on Google, and the next week Page B replaces it, and then it switches again. When rankings keep rotating, click-through rate usually drops because users are not always landing on the most relevant or most convincing page. It also reduces SEO authority because your internal links, external backlinks, and engagement signals get split across multiple URLs instead of strengthening one primary URL. Over time, this can prevent both pages from reaching their full potential, especially for competitive keywords. You may also experience situations where neither page ranks in the top positions because search engines can’t confidently decide which one is the “best answer.” For businesses, that means fewer calls, fewer leads, and missed opportunities even though you created enough content.
Cannibalization usually happens because of normal content growth. Many websites publish multiple similar blogs on the same topic, create new pages without updating old ones, or build service pages that overlap too much. It’s common in local business sites that have multiple location pages with nearly the same content, or websites that publish “guide,” “checklist,” and “tips” posts that all target the same keyword. It can also happen if your category pages, tag pages, and blog posts all rank for the same terms, or when you create separate pages for “pricing,” “services,” and “benefits” but optimize them using the exact same main keyword. Typical signs include two URLs showing impressions for the same query in Google Search Console, frequent switching of ranking pages, sudden drops in traffic for a page you recently published, or a strong page that never climbs because another page keeps competing with it.
To fix keyword cannibalization, start by deciding which page should be the main “winner” for the keyword and intent. Usually, the best choice is the page with stronger backlinks, better content depth, higher conversions, or the page that matches the intent most accurately. Once you select the primary page, the most effective solution is often to merge content: combine the best parts of both pages into one improved page, update it thoroughly, and then set up a 301 redirect from the weaker page to the primary one. If both pages deserve to exist, then differentiate their intent instead of letting them overlap. For example, one page can target “how to do keyword research for local SEO,” while another targets “local SEO keyword research tools,” so each page serves a distinct purpose. Update the titles, headings, and main keyword targeting so each page has its own unique focus.
If you must keep similar pages (for example, due to product variations or multiple location pages), you can use canonical tags to tell Google which page is the preferred version for ranking. You should also improve internal linking by pointing the most important keyword-focused links toward the primary page and using clearer anchor text that matches each page’s purpose. In some cases, you may also “de-optimize” the duplicate page by changing the keyword focus, reducing overlapping sections, or rewriting content so it answers a different question. The best long-term strategy is simple: for most websites, aim for one primary page per keyword or intent, and make that page the strongest resource on your site. When your content has clear roles and clear targets, Google can rank it more confidently, your rankings become more stable, and your traffic and leads improve consistently.
Google AI Mode is changing how local customers discover businesses, and it’s important to understand what that means before your calls and enquiries start dropping. In the classic version of local search, people typed “plumber near me” or “best dentist in Dubai” and then chose from the Local Pack (map results), websites, and reviews. With AI Mode, Google can summarize options, suggest businesses, and guide decisions faster-sometimes before a user even scrolls to the usual results. For local business owners, this isn’t the end of local SEO, but it is a shift: you need to make your business easier for Google’s AI to understand and easier for customers to trust at a glance.
In the AI Mode layout, you’ll often see two major areas: an AI-style overview at the top (summary, recommendations, and context) and the familiar Local Pack underneath. That AI overview may pull information from Business Profiles, websites, reviews, and other sources to create quick answers like “top-rated nearby,” “best for families,” or “open now.” This means your visibility is no longer only about ranking #1 in the map results-it’s also about whether your business details are strong enough to be “featured” in the AI summary. If your profile is incomplete, inconsistent, or outdated, Google’s AI has fewer reasons to include you.
To increase your chances of appearing in these AI-driven summaries, start with the fundamentals that the AI can read clearly. Your Google Business Profile should have the right categories, complete services, accurate hours, fresh photos, and consistent contact details. Your website should clearly explain what you offer, where you serve, and what makes you different, using simple headings and service pages that match real search intent. Reviews matter more than ever because AI summaries often reflect reputation signals-rating, recency, keywords in reviews, and how you respond. A business with clear services, strong review activity, and up-to-date information becomes an easy “yes” for the AI to recommend.
AI Mode also changes how customers make decisions. People will compare businesses faster because the AI overview can highlight key differences like pricing style, availability, specialties, or “popular for” use cases. That’s why your content must be direct and conversion-friendly: add pricing ranges (or “starting from”), include quick FAQs, and place strong CTAs like “Call now,” “WhatsApp us,” or “Book online.” If your website is slow or confusing on mobile, you’ll lose users who clicked from AI or Local Pack results. Improving speed (Core Web Vitals), compressing images, and making your contact options obvious can make the difference between “clicked” and “converted.”
If you want a simple plan to stay ahead of Google AI Mode, focus on three things: trust, clarity, and activity. Keep your GBP active with regular updates and photos, build a steady stream of reviews, and make sure your website is structured around services + city intent. Track what matters-calls, messages, direction requests, and form leads-so you can see whether AI-driven changes affect your enquiries. If you’d like, send your website URL and your target city, and I’ll share quick fixes to improve your GBP, local pages, and on-page SEO so your business is more likely to show up in both AI summaries and local results.
If you run a local business and you’re trying to get more calls, direction requests, and website visits from Google, you’ve probably asked this question: Do Google Business Profile (GBP) posts still work? The short answer is yes, but not in the “post once and instantly rank higher” way people expect. GBP posts are best viewed as a visibility and conversion tool. They help you keep your profile active, highlight offers, answer customer intent quickly, and give searchers a reason to choose you over competitors. This blog is for local business owners and service providers who want practical guidance on what to post, how often to post, and how to turn profile views into real enquiries.
First, it’s important to understand what GBP posts actually do. Posts show up inside your Business Profile and can appear in different areas depending on device and search type, like “Updates,” “Offers,” or “What’s happening.” A post doesn’t replace SEO, reviews, or categories-but it supports them by improving engagement and trust. Think of it like this: rankings get you seen, but posts help you get chosen. When someone compares businesses in the same area, a profile with recent updates, clear promotions, and helpful info feels more active and reliable. That can increase clicks, calls, and messages even if your ranking position stays the same.
So what should you post to get results? The best performing posts usually fall into three types: offers, proof, and answers. Offers include discounts, seasonal deals, free inspections, or limited-time packages. Proof includes before/after photos, completed job highlights, short case studies, or “customer of the week” stories. Answers include quick tips and common questions people ask, like pricing ranges, service areas, what’s included, or how long a service takes. Keep the message simple: one clear headline, one benefit, one action. Use real photos whenever possible-stock images look generic and don’t build the same trust. If you’re a service business, posts like “Same-day service available,” “Free quote in 10 minutes,” or “New service area added” tend to attract ready-to-buy customers.
How often should you post? For most local businesses, 1-2 posts per week is a strong baseline, and it’s better to be consistent than to post daily for one week and disappear for two months. Create a basic content loop: Week 1 offer, Week 2 proof, Week 3 FAQ/answer, Week 4 seasonal update-then repeat. Each post should have a clear CTA such as “Call now,” “Get directions,” “Book,” or “Send message.” Also, align your posts with real business priorities: if weekends are slow, post a weekend offer; if a service is high-margin, feature it every week; if you want more bookings, use “limited slots” messaging. The goal is not just to post-it’s to influence the decision at the exact moment people are choosing.
Finally, GBP posts work best when combined with the fundamentals that actually move local rankings: correct categories, complete services, accurate business info, strong reviews, and a fast website. Posts are the extra layer that improves conversion and keeps your profile fresh. If you want a simple plan, start with this: set up 4 post templates (Offer, Proof, FAQ, Update), schedule them weekly, and track what changes in your profile insights-calls, messages, and website clicks.
If your business isn’t showing up on Google when people search for your services-or you’re not getting enough calls, WhatsApp messages, or direction requests from search-it’s usually not because SEO “doesn’t work.” In most cases, you are doing marketing-just missing a few key local SEO signals that Google uses to decide which businesses to rank and which to skip. Even small issues like an incomplete Google Business Profile, inconsistent phone number, weak location pages, or slow mobile speed can quietly reduce your visibility and cost you leads.
The good news is: these problems are common, and they’re also fixable. Once you know what to check, you can make improvements that help Google trust your business more, show you for the right local searches, and increase real enquiries (calls, forms, walk-ins). Below are the 7 biggest local SEO mistakes businesses make-and the exact actions you can take to improve rankings, visibility, and conversions.
The first mistake is ignoring Google Business Profile (GBP) optimization. Many businesses create a profile once and never update it, but GBP is one of the strongest factors for local rankings. To fix this, choose the correct primary category, add all services, update business details, upload real photos regularly, and use posts to show offers, updates, or new work. Keeping your profile active and complete helps Google trust your business and show it more often.
The second mistake is inconsistent NAP information (Name, Address, Phone) across the web. Google cross-checks your business details on your website, directories, and other listings, and even small differences can reduce trust. The fix is simple: make sure your name, address format, and phone number are exactly the same on your website contact page, GBP, and major directories. Consistency helps Google confirm your business is real and accurate.
The third mistake is not having proper location pages, or having thin pages with almost no useful content. Many businesses try to rank in multiple cities using one generic page, which usually won’t work in competitive areas. The fix is to build dedicated pages for each main city or service area you target and make them unique with relevant service details, local proof (testimonials or results), FAQs, and clear calls-to-action. Location pages help Google match your business to specific searches like “service in [city].”
The fourth mistake is having a weak review strategy or not replying to reviews. Reviews directly impact trust, click-through rate, and conversions-and they can influence local pack visibility too. Fix this by asking every happy customer for a review (WhatsApp is perfect), keeping reviews consistent over time, and replying to every review-positive or negative. Responses show activity, build trust, and can naturally include your service + location.
The fifth mistake is poor on-page SEO, especially title tags, headings, and internal links. If Google can’t clearly understand what your page is about and where you serve, your rankings will suffer. The fix is to use strong title tags like “Service + City + Benefit,” add one clear H1 that matches the page topic, and include internal links to your key pages like services, locations, and contact. Clean structure makes your pages easier for Google to read and users to convert.
The sixth mistake is a slow website or poor mobile experience. Local searches are mostly mobile, and slow pages cause people to leave fast-hurting leads and rankings. Fix this by compressing images (prefer WebP), enabling caching, using a CDN like Cloudflare, and improving Core Web Vitals. A fast site keeps visitors engaged and helps Google trust your user experience.
The seventh mistake is targeting the wrong keywords and not tracking results. Many businesses chase broad terms like “best company” instead of high-intent searches like “service in [city]” or “near me,” and then they don’t measure calls, forms, or GBP actions. The fix is to target keywords with clear buying intent, set up tracking for calls/forms/WhatsApp clicks, and monitor GBP insights (calls, direction requests). When you track the right metrics, you can focus on what actually brings leads.
Google doesn’t always display the exact title you set in HTML or your SEO plugin. Sometimes it rewrites your title in search results to better match what the user searched, to make the snippet clearer, or to remove duplication and keyword stuffing. This post is for business owners, bloggers, and local service companies who want higher clicks (CTR) and more leads from Google-especially if your titles are getting changed in search and your rankings or traffic feel “stuck.” If you’re seeing a different title on Google than the one you wrote, don’t panic-understanding how Google chooses titles helps you fix the cause and regain control.
First, Google usually starts with your HTML title tag (the title you set in RankMath/Yoast or inside your page settings). This is still the most important “title source,” but it works best when it’s clean and accurate. If your title is too long, stuffed with keywords, or doesn’t match the page content, Google may rewrite it using other on-page signals. A strong title tag is simple: keep it around 50-60 characters, put the main keyword near the front, add a clear benefit, and avoid repeating the same words or city names. For local pages, use a natural format like “SEO Services in Dubai – More Leads & Rankings | Search Engine Genie” instead of “SEO Dubai, SEO Company Dubai, Best SEO Dubai, Dubai SEO Agency.”
Next, Google looks at your on-page headings, especially the H1 (your main page heading) and important H2/H3 subheadings. If your H1 is clearer than your title tag-or if your title tag looks templated across many pages-Google may pull your H1 as the search title. That’s why your title tag and H1 should match in meaning even if the wording is slightly different. Your headings should also be easy to skim: use short sections, bullet points, and “quick answer” style lines so Google and users understand the page fast. A good structure includes what you offer, who it’s for, what’s included, service areas, and proof (case studies, testimonials, results).
Google also uses page content and the search query itself to decide what title best fits. If someone searches “local SEO audit for car rental company” but your title is generic like “Home” or “Services,” Google might replace it with a line from your content that better matches the query. To reduce rewrites, keep the page focused on one main intent, mention your primary keyword naturally in the first 100 words, and support it with related phrases. For example, target one main keyword like “SEO Services for Car Rental Companies” and support it with phrases like “increase car rental bookings,” “local SEO,” “Google Maps ranking,” and “airport car rental keywords.”
Another influence many people miss is backlink anchor text-the words other websites use when linking to your page. If multiple sites link using a phrase like “car rental SEO agency,” Google may treat that as a clue about your page topic and sometimes reflect that language in your snippet title. This is one reason why quality links matter beyond ranking alone: they also shape how Google interprets your content. A smart local angle is to strengthen relevance through your Google Business Profile (GBP) and Google Maps signals. If you serve multiple cities, build location pages (example: “SEO Services in Dubai,” “SEO Services in Sharjah”) and connect them with GBP services, posts, and consistent NAP citations-this improves both map visibility and organic click-through.
Now for the “do this next” part: audit your top pages where Google rewrites titles, then align your title tag + H1 + page intro so they all communicate the same promise. Add one supportive image or screenshot (your title tag settings in WordPress, plus a “before/after” search snippet example), compress images to WebP to keep the page fast, and internally link to your key services like GBP optimization, SEO services, Core Web Vitals/PageSpeed optimization, and security audits. If you want, send your website URL and your target city, and I’ll suggest optimized title tags and H1s that are more likely to stick in Google and drive more clicks.
The world of search is changing fast. Traditional keyword-based SEO is no longer the only way people discover content, because AI-powered search assistants like ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, and Bing Copilot are becoming part of how users search and make decisions. Instead of typing short phrases, users now ask conversational prompts and expect direct, personalized answers. This shift is creating a new frontier—prompt-driven SEO—where brands need to adapt their content strategy so they remain visible and “recommended” inside AI-generated responses, not just ranked on a results page.
For decades, SEO revolved around keyword research and targeting high-volume terms, but keywords alone are no longer enough when intent is expressed in natural language. Compare the old search “best SEO tools” with a modern prompt like “What are the best SEO tools for small businesses in 2025, and which ones use AI features?” That second query includes audience, timeframe, and specific preferences—meaning your content needs to answer detailed, context-rich questions rather than just repeating a keyword. Prompts are basically the new SEO currency: AI assistants don’t just retrieve links, they generate answers, and your content has a better chance of being surfaced when it’s written conversationally, covers topics in depth, anticipates follow-up questions, and explains concepts clearly with examples, comparisons, pros/cons, and FAQs.
To optimize for AI-powered search, you’ll want to shift from pure keyword targeting to creating content around conversational queries and strong structure. Use question-style headings that mirror how people prompt AI (for example, “What is the difference between keywords and prompts?”), and build entity and semantic clarity by naming relevant tools, concepts, and terms while connecting them with internal links and schema where possible. This is where GEO—Generative Engine Optimization—comes in: a growing discipline focused on making content easy for AI systems to understand, trust, and reuse in generated answers. For example, if you run a fashion eCommerce store, instead of only optimizing for “men’s charcoal grey suit,” you’d also publish content answering prompts like “What occasions are best for wearing a charcoal grey three-piece suit?” or “How should men style a pleated pant suit for weddings?” The future of SEO is beyond keywords; brands that embrace prompt-optimized, comprehensive, entity-rich content now will be the ones that win visibility in the AI-driven search economy.
As artificial intelligence reshapes how people search online, a new discipline is emerging: Generative Engine Optimization (GEO). Unlike traditional SEO, which focuses on ranking in Google’s search results, GEO is about optimizing content for AI-powered engines like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and other large language models (LLMs) that deliver direct answers instead of links. If your business depends on online visibility, it’s time to understand how GEO can help your brand show up in AI-generated responses and protect your digital strategy as search becomes more answer-first and conversational.
Generative Engine Optimization is the practice of tailoring digital content so it’s easily understood, trusted, cited, and surfaced by AI-driven search engines and assistants. Instead of relying mainly on keyword placement and traditional ranking signals, GEO focuses on structuring content for machine comprehension, ensuring information is credible, up-to-date, and verifiable, and adding semantic richness and structured cues that help AI models recognize your content as authoritative. As AI assistants increasingly summarize and recommend information directly, clear structure and reliability become the deciding factors for whether your content is used as a source.
GEO matters because traditional search results are evolving quickly. With AI assistants providing instant answers, fewer users may click through to websites, which means the old blue-link model is giving way to an “answer-first” experience. Brands that adopt GEO early can gain a competitive edge by increasing the chances their content is referenced in AI outputs—even when users don’t visit the site—keeping their expertise visible where decisions are being made. The strongest GEO strategies combine structured data and schema markup, credible and well-sourced writing, question-based content that mirrors real user prompts, long-form evergreen resources with real depth, transparency signals like citations and fresh updates, and early adoption of AI-facing standards like llms.txt. While GEO comes with challenges—like measurement difficulty, rapid change, and rising competition—the direction is clear: businesses that focus on structure, trust, and real usefulness will be the ones that continue to be discovered in the AI-driven future of search.
When it comes to SEO best practices, even the smallest details matter—especially how you structure your URLs. For years, SEOs have debated whether underscores (_) or hyphens (-) are better, and while Google has clarified this multiple times, confusion still remains. The truth is your URL is more than just an address; it acts as a signal for users and search engines. Clean, descriptive URLs can improve click-through rates, help search engines understand what a page is about, and create a better user experience. For example, a URL like (www.example.com/seo-tips-for-beginners) is clearer and more readable than something messy like (www.example.com/seotipsforbeginners123), which is where the hyphen vs underscore discussion becomes important.
Google’s official position is straightforward: hyphens are treated as word separators, while underscores are treated as word joiners. In practical terms, best-seo-tools is understood as “best seo tools,” but best_seo_tools may be read as “bestseotools” as if it’s one combined word. That’s why hyphens are considered more SEO-friendly—they make it easier for Google to parse a URL into meaningful words. Even though modern search engines have improved and can often interpret both formats, Google still recommends hyphens because they improve readability, provide clearer keyword separation, and reduce ambiguity that underscores can sometimes create.
If you want your URLs to perform well in 2025, the best approach is to keep them short, descriptive, and easy to read, while using hyphens as your default separator. Avoid unnecessary numbers, extra words, or messy parameters, stick to lowercase letters, and don’t change old URLs unless it’s absolutely necessary—if you do, use proper redirects. A simple comparison makes the point clear: www.example.com/mens-suits-charcoal-grey is more readable and keyword-friendly than www.example.com/mens_suits_charcoal_grey. Both can rank, but the hyphen version is typically clearer for users and search engines, which can help improve CTR and overall SEO performance.
As of now, GMail lacks native support for the Safari browser, leaving users of Apple’s web browser without a seamless experience. While GMail is optimized for various browsers, including Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox, Safari users have faced limitations in accessing certain features.
The absence of dedicated support for Safari prompts questions about the future and whether Google will extend compatibility to cater to Safari users. As technology and web standards evolve, there is a possibility that Google will address this gap and enhance GMail compatibility with Safari, aligning with the diverse preferences of internet users.
Google, known for its commitment to accessibility and user experience, may prioritize expanding browser support to include Safari in its ongoing efforts to make GMail accessible across different platforms. The dynamic nature of the tech industry suggests that solutions and updates are continually in progress, and users may witness improvements in Safari compatibility for GMail in the foreseeable future.
As the web landscape evolves and user preferences diversify, enhancing cross-browser compatibility remains a strategic consideration for major platforms like GMail. Users can anticipate updates or adjustments to ensure a more inclusive experience across a range of browsers, potentially addressing the current lack of dedicated Safari support in GMail.
