If you’re serious about ranking higher on Google, it’s not enough to focus only on keyword volume and difficulty. You also need to understand how Google interprets different search terms and whether they serve the same results.
This is where SERP similarity becomes important.
In this guide, youâll learn what SERP similarity means, why it matters in keyword strategy, and how to check it using real-time search data.
You’ll also discover how our free SERP Similarity Checker tool can save you time and help you make better SEO decisions.
đ Try SERP similarity % for free: https://seogrowthnotes.com/serp-similarity-checker/
Table of Contents
What is SERP Similarity?
SERP similarity refers to how much overlap exists between the search engine results pages (SERPs) for two different keywords. It shows how many of the top-ranking URLs are shared between both search queries.
When two keywords return similar search results, it usually means:
- Google sees them as contextually or semantically related
- The search intent behind both is likely the same
- One well-optimized page can rank for both terms
However, if the overlap is minimal or non-existent, each keyword may deserve its own dedicated page to satisfy different user intents.
Why SERP similarity matters for SEO?
Understanding how much two keywords overlap in search results can significantly improve your SEO strategy.
Hereâs how SERP similarity impacts your content planning and website performance:
1. Prevent keyword cannibalization by avoiding overlapping content
When two or more pages on your site rank for very similar keywords with overlapping SERPs, they can end up competing against each other. This weakens your chances of ranking higher.
By using SERP similarity insights, you can prevent internal competition and consolidate content where appropriate.
2. Combine related keywords to build stronger, high-performing pages
If two keywords have high SERP similarity, you donât need two separate pages. Instead, you can target both terms in one well-optimized article or landing page.
This creates more authoritative content that ranks better and reduces content duplication.
3. Identify shared search intent to match user expectations
Similar SERPs often mean similar search intent. When Google ranks the same pages for two different queries, itâs telling you that users are likely looking for the same type of answer.
Recognizing this helps you craft content that truly satisfies user needs.
4. Improve topic clustering and internal linking structure
Grouping keywords with similar SERPs allows you to plan your content clusters more effectively. You can decide which keywords belong to a pillar page and which should be covered in subpages.
This improves your internal linking, topical authority, and site structure.
5. Save time on research and make faster SEO decisions
Instead of manually searching and comparing results for multiple keyword pairs, a SERP similarity tool gives you quick, data-backed insights.
This lets you move faster when building content calendars, prioritizing pages, or conducting keyword audits.
How to check SERP Similarity the easy way
You can always run both keyword searches on Google, jot down the top 10 results, and manually compare them.
But this is time-consuming, especially when working with multiple keyword pairs
Instead, use our free SERP Similarity Checker tool to do all this automatically.
1. Enter the first keyword
Begin by typing your first keyword into the Keyword 1 input field.
2. Enter the second keyword
Type the second keyword into the Keyword 2 field. These are the two search terms you want to compare in terms of search result similarity.
3. Select your target country
Choose a country from the dropdown to fetch localized SERP data. This ensures your comparison reflects region-specific search behavior.
4. Click the “Compare SERPs” button
Once your keywords and location are selected, click the yellow button to run the comparison. The tool fetches live Google search results for both keywords in real time.
Hereâs how it looks like:
5. Review the SERP similarity output
The tool generates a comprehensive report that includes:
- Number and percentage of common URLs between the two keywords
- A side-by-side table listing the top URLs for each keyword
- A visual Venn diagram that shows the degree of SERP overlap
- A SERP similarity confidence score with recommended actions (e.g., combine or separate pages)
6. Download the comparison data (optional)
You can export the results as a CSV file to keep records or include them in client reports, keyword maps, or content briefs.
Example: understanding SERP similarity in action
Letâs say you compared two related keywords using the toolâ âWordPress speed optimizationâ and âHow to make WordPress fasterâ.
After the comparison, the tool shows that 6 of the top-ranking URLs are the same, which gives a 50% similarity score.
According to the SERP similarity confidence scale built into the tool, this level of overlap suggests a moderate relationship between the keywords.
Youâre advised to consider combining them into one comprehensive pageâbut also review the results manually before making a final decision.
This process saves time, eliminates guesswork, and ensures your SEO content aligns with actual search behavior.
Understanding the SERP similarity confidence score
Our tool provides a confidence score based on the percentage of common URLs in the top results.
Similarity Score | What It Means | Recommended Action |
0% | No common results | Create two separate pages |
1% â 30% | Low overlap | Use judgment or check SERPs manually |
31% â 70% | Moderate overlap | Likely okay to target both keywords on one page |
71% â 100% | High overlap | Safely target both in a single piece of content |
This score gives you a clear direction on how to structure your content for maximum visibility.
Key Features of the SERP Similarity Checker
- Real-time data: Our tool fetches live Google SERPs instead of using outdated or cached results
- Geo-specific support: Compare search results from different countries and languages
- Side-by-side comparison: View each keywordâs top results together for quick analysis
- Visual chart: The built-in Venn diagram gives you a quick overview of the overlap
- Unlimited free usage: Run as many checks as you wantâno login, no paywalls
When to Use a SERP Similarity Tool
- During keyword research to group terms correctly
- When planning content clusters or topic hubs
- To avoid SEO cannibalization between blog posts or landing pages
- While optimizing existing articles with secondary keyword
- For international SEO, checking how keywords behave in different regions
Try our free SERP similarity checker tool
At SEO Growth Notes, weâve built a completely free SERP Similarity Checker to help you analyze and compare Google results in seconds.
There are no limits and no hidden costs. Create your free account on SEOGrowthNotes and start checking SERP overlaps.
Whether youâre an SEO strategist, content marketer, or blogger, this tool gives you the clarity you need to:
- Group keywords more effectively
- Plan smarter content
- Rank better on Google
đ Ready to make better SEO decisions?
Use the SERP Similarity Checker now â free and unlimited.

Sk Rafiqul Islam is the founder of SEO Growth Notesâa trusted SEO newsletter and tool suiteâand AccrueSERP, an outcome-driven SEO agency. He began his journey in 2018 as a part-time blogger and quickly became fascinated by how search engines work and how real traffic is built through organic search.
Since then, he has worked with over 60 clients across industries like B2B, eCommerce, SaaS, and local businesses. His strategies have helped clients earn organic features in top-tier publications such as Forbes, HubSpot, GoDaddy, Entrepreneur, and Fast Company.
Rafiqul also runs the SEO Growth Notes newsletter, followed by 2,000+ SEOs, where he shares practical insights, experiments, and free SEO tools to help others grow.