using the same keyword for different language

@tabbenhues We recommend only using a focus keyword once. Optimizing your pages for the same or very similar keyphrases can result in ‘keyword cannibalization’ which you can read more about here: https://yoast.com/keyword-cannibalization/

Hi Carl,

Thanks. Of course I understand that is the case if it’s one language but how does this work within different languages? I have five different languages on my site (using WPML) and in some countries I want to focus on the same keyword because this the most interesting one. Is it not possible at all to focus on the same keyword within different languages?

HI @tabbenhues,

Thanks for explaining the issue. If you’re translating the keyphrase into different languages, there shouldn’t be a problem with using the keyphrase being used more than once Yoast SEO.

As long as the translated pages have the correct hreflang tags, we’re not aware a problem optimizing for translated keyphrases.

Hi Priscilla,

Thanks again, I understand. But what happens if the ‘translated keyword’ is the same? For example the keyword we are using is ‘human resource management’. This is an English word but is used in Holland, Belgium, Germany and the UK. The hreflang tags are set up correctly. It seems logical that we can use the same keyword within different languages but I’m not sure and my SEO is saying the keyword is used before. What do you think?

Hi @tabbenhues,

That’s a good question. If you’re using the same keyphrase in the context of the same words for different translations, Yoast SEO may not be able to tell the difference. You may disregard any warnings about choosing a unique keyphrase, in that case.

As far as confirming whether search engines will see this as competing for the same keyphrase on the same site, the page language and hreflang tags that WPML adds should make that clear. Since Google also uses factors like the searcher’s location, it’s more likely that the correct version of the pages will appear in search results.

We have more details in our articles about multilingual SEO and some other resources if you need more guidance.

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