When it comes to Search Engine Optimization, or SEO, there are some definite mistakes to avoid. One of the most common mistakes website owners make is to publish what’s called “duplicate content.”

What is Duplicate Content?

Google defines duplicate content as, “Duplicate content generally refers to substantive blocks of content within or across domains that either completely match other content or are appreciably similar. Most of the time when we see this, it’s unintentional or at least not malicious in origin: forums that generate both regular and stripped-down mobile-targeted pages, store items shown (and — worse yet — linked) via multiple distinct URLs, and so on. In some cases, content is duplicated across domains in an attempt to manipulate search engine rankings or garner more traffic via popular or long-tail queries.”

What’s The Penalty For Duplicate Content?

Typically, a loss of page ranking or having that particular piece of content ignored. If you’re trying to improve your page ranking in the search results, duplicate content isn’t going to help you accomplish it.

The Simple Solution?

1. Avoid duplicate content easily by writing and publishing original content.
2. When using PLR, Private Label Rights, make sure you’re purchasing it from a reputable company and that the content is limited to a specific number of users. Always take a few minutes to make the article unique. That may mean altering keywords, changing headlines, adding a few quotes or tidbits of data. You can even add a personal touch and share a story related to the article topic.
3. Learn how to repurpose your own content. For example, if you have a 60-page eBook you give away, that content can be segmented into smaller articles or blog posts and repurposed with a little fine-tuning.

Duplicate content troubles are easy to avoid. Spend time planning your content strategy including choosing your niche keywords and keyword phrases, and create fresh content. Your duplicate content worries will be a thing of the past.