Merging two pages - Redirect while keeping original keywords

[guggi2000]

We'd like to combine 2 pages

(it is actually a group of pages, but let's keep it simple for the example)

Page 1 ranks for keyword combination "A X" and has 1000 views a day.
Page 2 ranks for keyword combination "B X" and has 50 views a day.

We would like to add content of "Page 2" to "Page 1" and redirect "Page 2" to "Page 1".

What is the best way to ensure that keyword "B X" is not totally lost and "A X" is not being hit?

Would canonical be better than a 301 in this case, as the original content is "kept"?

[rish3]

What is the best way to ensure that keyword "B X" is not totally lost and "A X" is not being hit?

If "B" and "A" aren't synonyms, it would be highly difficult to combine the contant and rank well for both "B X" and "A X".

For example, if "B" is "cheap" and "A" is "inexpensive", you'll likely do just fine.

However, if "B" is "brass" and "A" is "copper", you will have issues getting a single page to rank for both "brass widget" and "copper widget".

If you're truly combining the content into a single page, the 301 seems the most appropriate way to do that to me.

[Barbados]

What is the best way to ensure that keyword "B X" is not totally lost and "A X" is not being hit?

I'm not sure there is a best way. Every page will be ranked on its own merits. If you change a page you change the way it is viewed in search. Combining pages for two keywords generally means you lose the ranking for one of them.

To use a motoring metaphor a Vauxhall Vectra is a good all rounder and will cope with most situations. But I wouldn't take one to the Nurburgring nor would I use one on a trip across the Sahara. In these cases you would use the right vehicle for the right job. Same with pages. One page one keyword and keep it focused.

Unless you really need to combine them I'd consider another option.

[guggi2000]

I do not need to combine them. However, it would be the right thing for the user, namely to have a description of "X" in one single place (in combination with both other keywords).

Furthermore page 2 is a little thin and page 1 could use some freshness and new content.

[lucy24]

Would canonical be better than a 301 in this case

No. A "canonical" is for when you have two or more URLs pointing to identical or near-identical content.

Also think about redirecting to a specific location (# fragment link) on the new combined page. This may be helpful to your human users if they arrive via external links or bookmarks, leading them to expect some particular content.