Duplicate Content and Google

Thursday, November 5th, 2009 at 1:32 PM

Just want to make a quick post regarding duplicate content since I have been getting quite a bit of questions regarding it. I will post the top questions that I get about duplicate below as well as my answers. Know that my answers are my own personal opinions regarding duplicate content. These opinions are based on my own testing and results.

Q1: Does Google penalize you for using duplicate content?

A: The only time you will actually be looking at getting a penalty from Google is when you use duplicate content on the same site. I never post the exact same or even spun content on my main websites, landing pages, money sites, etc. I recommend you don’t as well.

Q2: Can you post duplicate content on multiple web 2.0 properties and article directories?

A: My take on this is yes you can. I do it all the time, and I do get mutiple properties ranked using duplicate content. With that said, this is a short-term approach. In my experience, Google will eventually catch on, and your rankings will drop. However, as long as the web 2.0/article directory account remains, you are still getting the benefit of a backlink regardless if your rankings in Google drop. Below is a picture that proves Google will rank duplicate content. 3 out of the top 5 listings are the exact same areticle.

Google ranking duplicate content

Again, using duplicate content across multiple web 2.0 properties and article directories is a short-term approach and should be used as one. I recommend you use either spun content(30-40% unique) or completely unique content. This will get you much longer lasting results.

Q3: If I use spun content, how unique should it be?

A: At least 30% unqiue. I get good results from using a spun content that is between 30-40% unique.

These are the most comon questions I get regarding duplicate content. Again, my answers are based on my own testing and results.

Hope this helps some.

Yukinari

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