Wrote a 'better' post and tanked the one already ranking

Wrote a 'better' post and tanked the one already ranking
Had a page sitting at #6. Decided it was thin, wrote a fresh deeper one targeting the same term, published it. Both pages dropped to page 2 — they started splitting signals and competing with each other.

The fix, and the rule I follow now:
— If a page already ranks, UPGRADE it in place, don't write a rival
— New post only if the intent is genuinely different
— If you already created the twin: 301 the loser into the winner, consolidate

Two pages fighting over one query both lose. Pick one champion.