Can I target one keyword with 2~3 pages?

[joony]

Since my website is targeting a very specific field, there are not many widely searched keywords. So I'm thinking of targeting one keyword with 2~3 pages.

1. I've read Neil Patel's blog post on how to create dual rankings to make your search listings stand out on Google. So I assume it's okay to target one keyword with several pages.

(http://www.quicksprout.com/2012/07/30/4-steps-to-making-your-search-listings-stand-out-on-google/ Step #2 Create Dual Rankings)

2. But I've also read things on Keyword Cannibalism saying that if you target one keyword with several pages, they will compete with each other, and Google will get confused.

I'm wondering, is it okay to target one keyword with 2~3 pages? And is there any smart way to do it ?

Thanks.

[evan89]

There are a couple of thoughts that I have regarding this question and the reference you made to Neil's post, so I will try to organize my thoughts here for you:

1. First, unless you are the food network... recognize that you probably don't have the DA or authority that the food network has.
2. In his post, the Food Network did not attempt to rank both of those posts for the term "cooking". Google has gained an understanding of both of those pages with a relation to the term "cooking". Some of that would have been through on-site SEO, but a large portion of that would have been through links, social signals, DA, PA, etc... It isn't simply about optimizing 2 pages for the term "cooking".
3. If you attempt to optimize two or more pages for the exact same keyword around the same keyword, you run the risk of self-canibalization. Read/watch more here: http://moz.com/blog/keyword-targeting-density-and-cannibalization-whiteboard-friday

What I would suggest is that either your website, or a category should represent the broad keyword/phrase/theme, and then let it's subcategories target other variations of that theme and how others may search it. For example, lets say I wanted to create a campaign around Rubics Cubes (I'm on a mission to solve one right now), perhaps I could create supporting pages that target supporting themes such as "how to solve a rubics cube", and "where to buy a rubics cube", or "Amazing rubics cube videos"...etc. The point is that you become a resource for Rubics Cubes, not just a page that ranks for that term. Be the end all be all for people looking for rubics cubes, and have your site hierarchically organized to help point all of those rubics cube related resources point to the main rubics cube page.

Now, back to neil's point, if you created a fascinating resource for rubics cubes that developed shares, links, and buzz, it is very possible that you could gain 2 listings on the first page of google, but they have to be amazing.

Hope this helps !

(I'm going to solve my rubics cube)