Duplicate Content Myths and WA Legend.
The appearance of Duplicate content.
Noticing duplicate content starting to pop up here in Wealthy Affiliate, which depending on your compass can be a good or bad thing.
It always starts quite innocuously.
Let's bust the myth, in layman's terms, Google doesn't penalize duplicate content, representatives of the company continue to repeat and promote this ideology.
The issue for Google is that when there are two or more instances of the same content and it fits a search query where do they send the searcher. Website A or website B or website C.
Usually content that is published receives a date stamp, and when indexed this establishes a hierarchy, it would follow that the " 1st cab off the rank would get the job ".
In a way the quality of the content, is diluted by having more instances of the same content.
Another myth to explore, Google doesn't rank websites, it indexes pages and posts into their search results; then it gives that content a rank in relationship to the relevancy to search queries. This thought maybe challenging?
Who would have the most traffic?
The site; with 5 pages and 15 posts 3 of which are on page 1.
The site; with 5 pages and 50 posts 15 of which are on page 1.
The site; with 5 pages and 50 posts 15 of which are on page 1; 20 are duplicate content.
Thinking caps on!
The integrity of one site is compromised, Google doesn't have boffins sitting in front of screens, they have proprietary systems that are incredibly fast and efficient at making decisions.
Machines are arbitrary.
If you were a computer what decision-making conversation would you have?
This content is duplicated here and there; too confusing for me, easy fix; flick that switch the button that's got " don't bother showing that content to searchers ".
Problem solved.
Google doesn't penalize they just have systems.
Duplicate content is like contagion, it compromises the integrity of the originator but also the host site. It is what it is, .
The great Reformation
Back in history members started posting every day, then to compete posting twice a day, then three times a day and then asking multiple questions a day.
Then to compete adding another chapter of the latest PLR e-book that they had purchased as today's training or content from their website.
It was crazy.
It kind of devalued the user experience, placed a burden on the platform, and marketers left the house.
Reflecting back there were some really interesting characters, you know the ones who get under your skin but then grow on you, and as you could imagine there were some real personality clashes.
Well one morning it became ground zero, a content checker was introduced, and the algorithm was changed to weigh interactions and inputs differently. At that time there was more weighting placed on content, helping and adding value in the community received less weight. This changed so that there was a balanced approach to interactions within the community. That is what we have today.
There was to put it mildly, " carnage on the dance floor ".
It all started so innocuously.
Short Cuts
The easy way is to post on your site and slip it in here as well, or post here and slip it into your site as well. Both practices will create duplicate content. Besides being contrary to WA guidelines, it is something that is not a good habit to fall into.
Long term do these behaviors have good outcomes?
Be Always thinking, long term in all that we do, it can be so easy to take short cuts, they become a habit so easily and they can impact an online presence. If not today, usually it can be down the track when integrity and hard work is paying off and is getting you across the line.
Nothing worse than falling flat on your face just before the finish line.
Alex Evans
Foot Notes;
This post is just some personal reflections and in no way is it designed to represent official Wealthy Affiliate website policies or activity values.
How do you know; well a post is here in WA and the same post is on a website, it's fluffy with a white bobbin tail, likes carrots, it's a rabbit.
As for " Google " some of my perceptions may challenge traditional views, that is okay, just thinking in simple, layman's terms.
Is it okay then to share content, yes it is because we are sharing the content URL, a completely different subset of values and rules. A workaround could be to create content on your website and then link back to the post here in WA, Or create content here in WA and share it to your website and/or far and wide, the little blue affiliate button top right of all content here in WA makes this so easy.
Is this a rant; no just an observation that may be helpful.
Recent Comments
103
Great observation Alex!
I have a question about your workaround where you say " A workaround could be to create content on your website and then link back to the post here in WA"
I always understood WA policy to be that we don't link to our websites in our WA posts unless it was to give an example or help a member with a question in some way. I may be reading it wrong, but are you saying that it's ok to put a link to our website in our WA posts just for the purpose of sharing the content?
Just want to be sure I'm clear on the rules about this--thanks!
Janelle
Hi Janelle, it kind of sparked with the thought that a person could create a post and then publish it here there and everywhere.
At face value, one would think that it would be awesome all the more chances to convert. It was a little process to work it through so the person recognized that duplicating content can have its drawbacks.
Further to this, we have a set of guidelines that provide guidance when it comes to interactions and posting content.
The ones that are associated are;
2, No copied content allowed to be posted here at Wealthy Affiliate. This content will be immediately removed and you will lose posting privileges.
3, Do not copy content from WA and post it somewhere else on the Internet. This includes copying your own blog content and putting it on your website.
16, No signatures at the end of your posts (posting your website URL, image, etc)
These guidelines closeout certain behaviors.
Obviously, double posting content is in breach of these guidelines.
Just reading your comment, yes we are not supposed to link to our web properties from a post here in WA, excluding the example that you have given. It could still be a grey area.
There were two aspects to a workaround which in a way is managing content strategically.
1, You create a post on your website and then in that post you link back to a post that you have created here in WA. A classic example would be the post here in WA that is written in a style that extols the virtues of WA. A member writes a post on their website and then embeds the link to the post that has been created on WA. If someone clicks on this link then they are in the WA sales funnel, it can be a soft way to promote and help. if you read the post and comments it can provide quite a compelling view of WA.
2, It is possible to share content from WA and also embed that link ( URL ) from the post onto a web property.
Have a look at the image; we can share content by copying the affiliate link that is associated with all content that is published in WA.
We can also copy and share the URL of the post/ WA content and share that.
In windows;
- Ctrl + L
- Ctrl + C
- Ctrl + V tp paste the URL at the destination.
Once again someone clicks on that link and they will be taken into the WA sales funnel.
It is not everyone's cup of tea, it gives a way to share and manage your content.
It is not okay to place a link to your web properties in a WA post that you create.
It is okay to create content and share the URL of that content in other venues online.
That is basically how I see it and it is also recommended in the training to share content.
I hope that this makes sense, Janelle.
Sorry about the length of the reply.
Alex
No sorry needed--I very much appreciate your well-thought-out and detailed reply to my question!
It makes total sense and I agree with you. On my website I link to many posts here at WA in order for my readers to see the type of information and help available here. Having affiliate links to do that is one of the best features of the WA platform, IMO.
Linking to our websites in blog posts has been a gray area that's caused confusion for new and older members alike. When I first became a member, prohibiting our website links was a hard and fast rule it seemed.
Then a few well-liked members got posting privileges temporarily banned after posting links and being reported for spam. The controversy sparked discussions where the idea of posting links to help answer questions or show someone how to do something became acceptable.
I've noticed that some members seem to use this exception to post links when they feel their website content may be very helpful in general without it stemming from assisting another member.
So thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts on the issue!
Janelle
This is a topic that I have questioned for years. Going back to when I first posted on a real estate blog network. Is there a benefit to publishing things in more than one place?
Ultimately, we all want to be found on Google. I’ve noticed that often times if there is lots of similar content showing up in searches, Google will choose to show the most authoritative. We have an option to manually request to see the “similar results.”
I think we should all remember that search engine results will continue to evolve.
As of this morning, I know that if I post something on the real estate blog network, it will most likely outrank what I publish on my little real estate website. Even if I publish it on the real estate website first.
Is that bad? Not necessarily. The real estate network allows us to link back to our websites. I don’t want my website to be sitting “empty.”
Regardless, I think we should try to write for our audience. The real estate network members, similar to WA members, typically do not want to read a book or long essay. Get people going to our websites may want the additional information.
So, my planned experiment is to post a summary on WA and/or my real estate blog network site. My private websites will contain more info.
Well, I apologize for the essay here. Yet, this is a topic that I spend too much time thinking about.
Best wishes.
Hi Sondra, thank you for your thoughtful response.
I think the question that you posed;
Is there a benefit to publishing things in more than one place?
It is so relevant to what we are trying to achieve here in WA with the creation of websites and associated content.
From reading your comment you are working at developing a content management strategy, One that helps you to create and expand a presence for your content.
That can be the key element.
Focusing on and defining the aspirations of our audience although a work in progress can be worth the effort.
When we think in terms of content; there is so much and the amount of content published grows exponentially. We kind of need to be mindful of what we are doing when it comes to managing the content that we create.
My instinct is that it may be okay to duplicate some content, in a measured and calculated way. The issue arises when a web-property is compiled by using a majority of duplicated content.
As you say the search engines are evolving when it comes to appraising and presenting content.
I think posting, variant content like you have mentioned in your comment can work well.
I am still more inclined to think in the growth trajectory phase of a blog that it may be better to avoid multiple posting the same content.
Let us know how you get on with your experiment Sondra.
Alex
Hi Alex,
Thank you for your thoughtful feedback. I believe you instincts are correct.
I suppose that ultimately, we are trying to figure out the best way to promote/market our content that we have developed using best content management strategy.
I am a long way off from figuring it out. So, today I will be doing physical labor. I am moving to a different fix it upper property/ranch.
I remember that time well Alex when there was a rush to be Ambassador and then the downfall when it all changed and there were so many people disappointed. Yes there were a good few characters that left a lasting impression lol.
Thanks for this great blog and so very true. Hopefully your blog will be useful to a lot of people who didn't experience that change. Xxxx
Hi Cheryl, people come and go some do leave a lasting impression.
It was a telling time for WA, and I have immense respect for Kyle and Carson, it would of been hard for them to take the action that they did.
It was the mark of true leadership.
In a way I can see the signs of a new season evolving, one of the first things was the double posting of content.
Duplicate content, can weigh down a position rather than enhance it.
Thinking about it there really was some classic individuals here, many have since departed. Those class reunions are growing less in number.
Thank you for chiming in.
Alex
You are welcome Alex and they reunions certainly are growing less in numbers. Sometimes, I wish some of the ones who left were still here. There were some very interesting things going on and there was always someone falling out lol.
Imagine how much fun a reunion that would be. xxxx
Classic Cheryl, it made for interesting times, you would never know what to expect next. They were good times indeed
Alex
Hi Alex,
I appreciate a lot your article. You have very good personal reflections, and I am totally agreed with them; especially with your deep phrase: “Nothing worse than falling flat on your face just before the finish line.”
The work around is exactly what I am doing myself in my website. I think it is the correct method.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Kind Regards,
Diana.
Hi Diana, thank you for responding with your thoughtful comment.
When we first start, it can be that we are looking for productivity gains the simple way is to double post content.
That is probably not the best practice or habit to get into.
We have to be a little more onto it, content management, done well creates more opportunities.
Creating and sharing content has better outcomes.
Alex
See more comments
The complexities of Google and the infamous algorithms would seem to be forever beyond my grasp. Almost as much as trying to figure out if the universe has an outer edge, what's on the other side of it. What is it expanding into ?
Your post has gone a long way to helping me understand yet another section of this world in which we reside.
Thank you Alex.
Hi, Twack, it can be interesting to view the interactions of Google, they give so much yet at the end of the day they are a business.
When we look at it, there can be so many opinions and thoughts when it comes to the various interactions of bloggers. The guiding light at the end of the day and it is a simple question.
Would you publish......................... on your website.
Along the journey, we pick up on certain information; how we use it can create some desired outcomes or not.
Thank you for commenting, Twack, much appreciated.
Alex