Is PLR Content Good For Our Websites?
I know its been a while since I have written anything here, in fact it has been ages, but I was reading a little about PLR (Private Label Rights) content over the last few day so I thought I would write a post for my website. Have a read and let me know your thoughts.
Private Lable Rights - Is it good for my Website?
Private Label Rights (PLR). What is PLR and is it good for your website? Lots of people are asking this question so I just want to add my thoughts on the subject.
First of all, what is PLR. As I mentioned above PLR stands for Private Label Rights. When they first started to become available, around 2005, PLR articles were considered a new way to build content for a website.
Private label rights are a special type of right or license which you purchase. The consensus is that these PLR licenses give you the legal right to use already created content that you can modify and, in most cases, put your name on and claim ownership of the revised content thus saving yourself a lot of time as well as copy right privileges.
PLR licenses can be obtained not just for articles but also e books, software, video, audio, and graphics. I think its similar to the licenses that churches need to have in order to use sheet music and? in their services.
In the case of E-books, you can purchase them, rewrite them and then sell them as your own. It's legal but I wouldn't personally do that because I'm not sure its ethical.
Pro's and Con's
I have already mentioned a couple or benefits to using pre-written content but, let's recap the advantages and I will include a couple of others. They are:
- Not enough time? - WE might be constrained with time so, one of the first benefits is the savings in time by not having to coming up with ideas all on your own. With a PLR article or ? you have an idea and a foundation from which to work. You can take certain points and build them out in your own words.
- Help keep expenses down - Using PLR content will save you a lot of money that you would have to pay out to have someone else writes or create content for you. It could cost you a couple of hundred dollars of more for someone else to do that work.
- The ability to re-write - This offers a great deal of flexibility. Different people write in different ways and styles and this is important because Google, especially and some other search engines don't like "Copy and Paste" content as much as original material. There are conflicts with copy write and plagiarism laws. It's much better to make it as original as possible by rearranging, moving things around deleting and/or changing or adding to the content.
- You can claim ownership - Because you have made changes, this becomes a new piece of content. You can put your name on it and the copyright is yours to claim.
Along with the advantages of using PLR material there is also some downsides to this as well. Let's have a look at these.
- Copy right and Plagiarism laws - I mentioned this earlier. If you're just doing the "copy and Paste", its going to hurt you in the end. Google really doesn't like that method of creating content and it can really hurt your business or you could lose it altogether. It is considered Plagiarism and I've read stories of Google penalizing those who do this.
- Many others may be using the same material - Remember, others are doing the same. It's not exclusive to you. Hundreds of others or more could be using the same material as you so it is real important That you make it your own, revising it to suit your style of writing.
- Limits - There are many PLR licensing websites out there and there may be limits/restrictions on how you are allowed to use them. Make sure you read the terms and conditions of these licenses thoroughly. One condition may be that you can't give it away for free like in a newsletter. Check to see if there are any limitations.
- Sameness - (Is that a word?) - Some PLR sites out there have content that is not written very well and its common or generic so its important that you consider the material as a base for your idea and put your own spin on it, make it your own.
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My Advice about PLR Content
Bottom line? I don't think anyone should use PLR content at least not in its purest form. Let me explain.
When PLR content first came into being it was considered a fast way to produce content when pressed for time of there was a need for new ideas. But, here's the thing, what was considered to be something good back in the day is now considered not to be so good. Google and some other Search engines don't like "Copy and Paste"
This means we have to come up with a different strategy. If you want to use PLR content make sure that you make it your own. You can take the ideas but do your best to re-write as much, if not all, of the material as you can. It is a must to put your own touch on the article, put your slant on it, add your personality and writing style.
Final Comments:
I'll tell you a short story about a small piece of research one of my Friends did and what he found out.
A couple of years ago he decided to see what would happen if he used a piece of PLR content that was not changed. He took a copy of that article and pasted it into a plagiarism checker and it came back as 100% plagiarism. Then he used the title of the article in a Google search and found out that thee were 178 websites using the exact same article.
If there is a need for fresh content just use Google and type in what you are for. You will get plenty of ideas and the best part is that it is free. Just make sure to do your research and put what you learn into your own words. Search Engines love original content.
If you must use PLR content for your websites please, only use it as a base or outline for your article. Copy and pasting will only hurt your trust level and may very well send you site to the bottom of the rankings.
If you have any questions or comments please leave them in the box below. I would really like to have a conversation about this.
As always, your success is at the top of my list. If you have something you would like me to write about I would be pleased if you would let me know.
In the meantime, I wish you all the best with your Internet endevour's
Keep Moving Forward,
Wayne
Recent Comments
18
The whole idea of PLR is you can completely rewrite and rename the article or articles to make them your own. Many people buy the same PLR product, so if it isn't changed there will be hundreds of copies circulating on the internet.
Any PLR should be changed quite drastically without changing the meaning of the article.
This is why I buy PLR not to just put it out as is. If I wanted to do that I would go for cheaper rights such as resell rights or giveaway rights.
Derek
I have never bought PLR content but I certainly understand the reasons for making it your own. The consequences are just too high to do it any other way.
Joe's example is probably just the tip of the iceberg.
For the time being, I think I will stick to Google research and writing in my own words. At this point in the game, I don't have the funds to fork out every month for PLR anyway.
Going to Keep Moving Forward,
Wayne
Hi, Derek. Hope you're having a nice day.
Quick question. Who do you purchase your PLR content from? I'm doing a little research to finish my post and would like to include a couple of PLR sites.
I use many sites when collecting PLR but mainly PLR Junkies, IDPLR gold, surefirewealth, make money monthly and simple list builders.
Derek
This is very helpful, and I agree that any form of duplicate content is a big no-no for SEO/Google rankings. However I have heard of people purchasing PLR content as give-aways/enticements to get people to enter their email and be added to the site owner's email list (fill in your email, receive this PDF/eBook, etc).
In the cases I am thinking of, I think the PLR is being sold for that purpose and intended to be used/branded that way so that the purchaser of the PLR can use the materials as give-aways to help boost their email list.
PLR used in this way should not affect Google rankings/SEO because it isn't duplicate content being copied onto a website; instead it's a PDF download the reader(s) receive(s) as a thank you for providing their email address.
Just a thought -
I would definitely agree with you K but many have used this avenue to create content for their site and for this issue, I as well as Kyle and many others are for sure thumbs down. This is who I am pointing to in this article.
I would really hate for someone to suffer the consequences for a bad decision.
Just a heads up for those who might be thinking of doing the copy an past for their sites. We should always try to make it our own as much as possible.
Really appreciate your comments and the added info.
Keep Moving Forward,
Wayne
Also, if using PLR as a give-away when people enter their email to be added to your list, of course always be sure the content is excellent and will offer a lot of value to the reader. :)
I know that's probably more than obvious -- but I guess there are probably different levels of quality for various PLR products.
Cheers,
Kate
Quality was also an issue I discovered. In another WA post, I checked out, the writer actually posted the article URL and I went to it and the article was only about 300 words long so..not very comprehensive and poor quality.
Gotta be eyes wide open. Of course, one could add significantly to that and make it top notch.
Thanks again for your comments, K
It certainly was! I received a few free PLR articles in a bundle I bought but was skeptical to use them. Now I know the correct way to do so without suffering any consequences. I will use them as a guide only.
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Wayne,
Interesting post, I have a very large library of PLR material, it is my reference and think tank store. It gives me ideas for books, blogs, leaflets and reports. Yes I change the title, the content and make it my own by an almost complete rewrite, but the meaning remains the same.
As you will gather I find it very useful, but people do need to take care as some of the English is dreadful.
Thanks for your comment, Edwin and yes, big changes are necessary.
By the way, where do you purchase your PLR content?
Good question, from a number of outlets, it depends what is on offer and how much I can use also the cost, do have a couple that I have a subscription to as it works out very reasonable I can them download items that might be of interest in the future.
Stuart