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Beware of Duplicate Content Penalties on Your Blog

I write for two separate blogs in addition to Active Rain: San Diego Previews (a real estate blogsite) and Luxury Home Digest (blog). Both are run on the open source WordPress platform with custom tweaking from the gurus at the Real Estate Tomato.

I participated in an Advanced SEO class with blogging coach Justin Smith last week and picked up a very important tip:

Beware of garnering duplicate content penalties from Google by placing your blog articles into too many categories.

Immediately after class, I checked both blogs and cringed. Hundreds of entries were placed into multiple categories on my blogs. If I wrote an article about Not All San Diego Real Estate in the Tank, it seemed logical to place it in the San Diego Real Estate, Carlsbad, Encinitas, La Jolla and several other categories because the article addressed all markets.

Bad, bad move.

Each category, Justin explained, is like a mini-website. And by posting the identical article to so many categories, I was inadvertently exposing my sites to duplicate content penalties.

Sooo...the next two nights were spent cleaning up the categories and making sure they were posted to no more than two categories.

For those of you who have played fast and loose with your categories, I suggest you go in and clean house!

San Diego Real Estate

Luxury Real Estate and News

Posted by Roberta Murphy - Carlsbad Real Estate North County San Diego Realtor on 01/16/2008 11:51 PM

Comments (78)

blogs, blogging, google

78 Comments on Beware of Duplicate Content Penalties on Your Blog

JAN

2008

Thanks for the tip, I was writting my first blogs toneit and was woondering if I should put them in more than one category. There are unpublished so I can edit them before publishing. Thanks Eric

Have heard this is true from other sources also. But thanks for the reminder. All the best.

Hi Roberta, I am on commercial break from American Idle . I had never heard this before and am sure glad I did. I actually wondered about this all on my own when I first started to write. I thought that I should pick one category and was promptly corrected. I might have been told to select 2 or 3 categories but in my mind I heard it as putting the post in as many categories that it would be applicable in.

Thanks for clearing this up and it makes perfect sense.

Now to start to fix the whole mess, yikes. That's a problem to get started on quickly. Thanks for bringing this.

PS, I love your Website and Blogsite, they are just beautiful

Roberta - I had just recently come across this point the other day when having coffee with Mark Flanders. Ooppss!

JAN

2008

Thanks for the heads up on this costly mistake! Since I am new to blogging...I don't have any house cleaning to do. I can start fresh!

Roberta,

Took me a while to realize what you are talking about, but it's coming into focus now. Finally??? Anyhow, progressive info on how that can affect your website rankings and the rest of it.

Eric: How I wish I had known this a year or so ago...

Bob & Carolin: This is your second warning:-)

William: American Idle??? Is this a misspelling or are you pulling my leg? LOL!

Rich: Have you cleaned house yet? Hmmm?

Heather: You are now ahead of the game. Write and categorize judiciously!

Esko: It can be hard to wrap your brain around this stuff. But it begins to make sense....

Roberta..... you are talking about categories.... what about actual blog sites. Meaning, if I start a blog here on AR, how many times can it be copied onto other blog sites? thanks

Jeff: I'm not sure. I confess to having done it before, but I do try to change the wording whenever possible (and when time permits). I just hate that I could have created duplicate content 8 times without even knowing it!

Thanks so much for sharing information that can affect our success. This is a GREAT use of the system and adds to community.

Vickie Nagy, http://www.besttrivalleyhomes.com/

Thanks for the tip! I find it funny that the blog posted immediately after yours is about how to get their blog posted multiple times.

Thanks for the post, I wasn't aware of that penalty but will watch that going forward.

Vickie: Thank you!

Jen: Need to check that out...out...out.

Kevin & Monica: Watch it backwards, too. If you have prior posts in multiple categories: CLEAN HOUSE!

Hi Roberta: I had no clue that doing that was a no-no. But now that I hear the explanation, it all makes sense. Thanks so much for sharing. Take care...

Karen Anne: Thanks--and good luck!

Roberta, I have wanted to finish clenaing up those categories anyway, so this will motivate me to do it now rather than later.

Steve: Go for it!

Roberta - Thanks for the information, I had no idea this could be a problem.

Roberta.... not trying to sound full of myself, but I actually know. I was just curious if you found out from the same people. I guess the categories is totally different. But it's about 10 times... and I know of this because Missy Caulk's neighbor works for Google and is high up in the company. So I had her ask him. I did find something else out though that was interesting in regards to links in your blogs, Because of your blog and that my answer is getting long, I am going to write a blog on this tomorrow.... thanks At least I learned something in regards to "many" categories... thanks

Roberta: I am not sure of this, but I think this is the first post of yours that I have read, and I liked it. So, I have subscribed to your blog, and made you an "associate." I invite you to visit, and read some of my posts if you like. Thanks, and take care...

Who knew? Multiple entry is a real issue. Thanks for the tip!

Okay...I'm safe...I'm just learning but haven't done even 10 sites and stuff like Jeff let us know about. Whew.

Thank you for the tip...ooops think I have done that too, gotta go...

I know, I gotta clean house too!

Just when I thought I was clean...this pops up. I'll never get all of this stuff straight.

That is exactly why I have not done duplicate blogs yet...... ActiveRain is doing very well for my website..... just with an RSS feed.....

=-)

Hi Roberta - well the learning just never ends, does it? I had not heard about this or even had given it a thought. Guess I've got the same house cleaning to do, at least to take a look at because I bet I've done just that a few times.

Thanks for sharing this tip!
Ann

Google does not like duplicate content and they will penalize.

So if you want to post the same content change it so that it is not identical.

Roberta - I knew not to publish an article on multiple blogs, but had no idea that putting a blog into multiple categories on a site would be the same - very timely advice since I'm about to start my "categories" blogsite.

Roberta, I had heard of this so I haven't posted these posts anywhere else, I didn't realize to just change them and use them elsewhere to not be penalized for duplicate content. Thank you so much for the information.

Roberta, you can still put it in more than one category, just not a bunch. You said two, Right?

Also duplicate content on your own blogs is not penalized according to a post Brad Carroll wrote here and my Google friend told me. Think how many times the black and white video was used on so many blogs.........I saw it everywhere, from blogs stronger than mine. I was getting a Google Alert on it every day.

Thanks for the heads up on categories, I didn't know that. On my outside blog, last night I wrote a post on a video gaming tournament. I put it in Events, Saline, Ann Arbor.

One is was an event, two it was started by a student in Saline, three it was in Ann Arbor.

How is that too much? I'm just curious, perhaps Justin could jump in as I certainaly don't want to be penalized just getting it off the ground.

Roberta, thanks for sharing. I am about to start an outside blog. I will have to change a few things. Thanks.

Roberta,

Thanks for the information. However, being a relative newbie, I have no idea how to clean up anything. Has anyone, or could someone write a little tutorial blog on that? I'd be glad to dig it out if you know of one.

Good post. Very true. I wanted to be in that class, but was not able to join in. Thank you for sharing what you learned.

Good news. I've been ranting and raving about duplicate content for years. All I ever hear is "don't worry about it".

Ha!!!

thank you for this advice. I have been trying to get an answer to this for weeks now. It seems its better to just blog in once place rather than copy and paste to other blogs as well for the same reasons.

Roberta, I keep getting mixed reviews. I wrote a blog recently about duplicate content hurintg your SEO. An SEO expert responded to me saying that it does not hurt if it is your content being linked back to you... Not sure what to make of this as I have duplicated my own conten and put it on several of my blogs. I have noticed that certain blogs of mine show up less in search engines per keyword than before I started. Really not sure what to think about it. I guess I've got some more homework to do. Thank you for the informative post.

Since I don't "blog around" I don't have to worry about it, but that's very good to know. Thanks for passing it along...

Jennifer: You're welcome!

Jeff: I am interested in reading your blog today.

Karen Anne: I'll be back at you.

Peter: Go forth and replicate, but be sure you don't duplicate--or something like that;-)

Sally: Sounds like your online house is clean.

Terrylynn: LOL!

Tracy: Go for it!

Tina: I think we're all seeking guidance.

Alexander: Yours is an elegant solution.

Ann: Categories are so tempting and it seems so logical to put our articles into multiple slots.

Chris: That is what I am thinking.

Sharon: Gad to know that this helps!

Carole: "Clearing the clutter" makes for good Feng Shui, yes?

Missy: That was my frustration when I first heard about duplicate content and categories. Justin advised no more than two. Period.

Frank: These things are far easier to correct at the beginning!

Bill: When you write a blog, just be careful to not put it into more than one or two categories. I would also try to clearly think through your categories and name them appropriately.

Karl: I would highly recommend the classes!

Lenn: That you have!

Sean: Glad to be of assistance.

Christopher: We are in muddy waters and I'm not exactly what it takes to avoid that dreaded duplicate content penalty. Tips appreciated!

Al: Bloggin' around is kind of fun, if you ask me.

Thanks for sharing the information. I am sure there is some sort of balance between adding enough of a tag to categorize the post without it appearing to have too much information.

Carolyn: Tags and categories are different animals, I'm not sure if tags can be found guilty of duplicate content. Anyone?

Roberta-Funny timing as I went through my AR posts this past weekend and tried to clean up my tags. Still more to do as I realized how all over the map they had become. Most of my tags on my "tomato site" haven't been a problem as the guys taught me well. Thanks for the reminder to make sure we don't over tag.

Roberta - thanks for sharing this. I knew about not posting your post itself to multiple blogs (although I understand from Mary McKnight that you can post some duplicates on your outside blog AND AR without incurring a penalty, it just has to be only occasionally) but not about the multiple categories. Got some work to do I think.

Jeff

Cindy: My tags need condensing as well.

Jeff: The danger, as I see it, is not knowing the exact parameters acceptable to Google.

Roberta, thank you for sharing. I noticed my rankings have started to slip and I wonder if this is the reason. I'll be checking it out today for sure!

-Colleen

Very good points for all of us to remember.

Thanks

Rich Lecinski

Long Realty

520-834-4663

Roberta... Thanks for the tips... SEO is so complicated, that sometimes you have no idea that you've actually done something wrong.

Since setting up my WP blog last summer, I seldom post a duplicate to AR anymore. I carefully set up my tags and later noticed that WP added categories. Since I don't understand the difference, I haven't set up any.

How is a category different than a tag???

Mary McK also said to not use too many tags.

Roberta -

Thanks - I try not to do this, but am guilty on a few - I will clean them up. (I'm from Chicago, what the hell do I know, anyway?)

I have multiple blogs as well - primarily my AR blog, but also our Team's main Blog Center - BlogChicagoHomes.com, on the Point2 Platform. I revise copy when posting on multiple blogs to avoid the "Google Police."

You'd be surprised, even in this day and age, how many still "copy and paste."

Drop in anytime!

DEAN & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO

Colleen: Good luck with getting those rankings back up!

Rich: You are welcome.

Debbie: I've tripped over my own tail a few times.

Elaine: I'm not sure, but intend to find out as soon as possible.

Dean: Go clean up your mess and sin no more.

Roberta,

Thanks for the info, I think. :-) I don't think we will ever know what Google does with duplicate content. There is certainly a divergence of opinion here on the Rain as to whether it is penalized. I guess it is better to be safe than sorry.

Excellent tip Roberta. Justin and everyone else at the Real Estate Tomato really know their stuff.

Stefan: Even Sigmund Freud would have wondered: What does Google want?

Charles: Amen.

Hi, wanted to intorduce myself...Liz Carter from TX, and I'll be in your beautiful city this weekend for my MFO training, I get there a couple of times a year. Also its great to hear your kind words about Justin, I have turned to him for help also. I just started AR about 8 months ago, and have leaned so much. Everyone here has been happy to help me learn. I've been in real estate since 1976, and will be 60 in Feb. so most of this is "greek" to me to say the least. Thanks for your advice also, and hopefully I can send you some referrals, we have a lot of oil co. people in and out of Katy/Houston TX going to CA. Thanks for helping me to KEEP LEARING! L

Liz: Great to meet you! My real estate career also started in the Houston area. Please call when you're in town.

PS: I love working with Texans! Are you near Katy?

Hey Roberta,

I wrote a response to this post: http://hismove.com/blog/multiple-categories-and-onsite-duplicate-content-tips

Yes, my office is at I-10 @ Mason Rd., since 1978. I just came back because I forgot to hit spell check on my other response to you, and dd not want Lucky :), to see it...he's has been helping me, since I'm fairly new to AR...Oh well, forgive me. We arrive Sat. night late, staying at the Grand Manchester. We have a play day on Sunday, then meeting state Monday, would love to meet with you, Liz

Thanks for the headsup. If I ever blog anywhere else, I won't make that mistake. Thanks.

Does anybody know if multiple tags are the same thing as multiple categories??? Thanks!!

Yeah, avoiding putting a post in too many categories is just good practice. We do a lot to avoid duplicate content problems here on ActiveRain. The full version of a post is only indexable at a single URL, there are times where in may be shown in aggregate with other posts that and we purposely tell search engines to ignore to instances. When clicking on a tag only a snippet of the post is shown instead of the full post. Another rule to follow is that duplicate posts across domains isn't necessarily bad but you should link them to a single source of the post so Google knows what to index.

I try to not stretch the categories, but I will post in multiple categories. The reason is that I want to make sure my readers can find other interesting articles/posts to read. If I lose points, I can accept that, but I am writing primarily for my reader, and Google comes in a distant second.

I just joined AR and think it is fabulous. I have yet to write my first newbie blog, just when I thought I was going to be a big girl and do it, I now want to clairfy something. If I write my introduction blog and put it into a couple of groups here at AR then I am okay? Is it when I go from AR to another site and copy the same blog.

PS if you do this, are there google police out there and what do they do?

Thank you for all of the information- I will check out Justin's site!

Roberta, thanks for the heads up.

Ouch...That's scary. I have 2 blogs and post duplicate content but never thought of the categories. Thanks for the heads up Roberta.

I learn something new everyday!

Roberta - Great info thanks for sharing and congrats on the feature - looks like lots of housekeeping this weekend. lol

Hi Roberta - This is very good info to keep in mind as we develop outside blogs. Just like building a house, it's much easier to work from an overall plan (in this case, a site map of pages and categories that avoids duplicate content) rather than try to make changes later. Thanks for the tip!

Roberta - thanks for this one. Gulp! Now need to figure out how to fix it, and where to find the time to do it. Might give you a call if that's ok. Or is it better to see if Justin is available?

cheers

Well, Google is as Google does unto others...

http://obeoman.blogspot.com

Roberta, Thank you for the blog. I want to make sure I am doing this right. I not only want to get useful information out there but I want to benefit from people finding it. I appreciate your help.

JAN

2008

Justin: Thanks! It's a great article and I am a subscriber!

Liz: Even if we can't meet, give me a call!

Wayne: You're welcome.

Susan: You inspired another post on categories and tags

Matt: Thanks again for your wise guidance.

Lane: You have your priorities straight. But might there be a way to satisfy both?

Audrey: I love your vision of Google Police! Justin's site is a great place to start.

Gena: Thanks!

Moni: I was just as alarmed.

Katie: Me too!

Cyndee: I swear this housekeeping never stops!

John: I so agree. Thought I had a plan, but obviously forged ahead without enough knowledge.

Gary and Richard: Feel free to give me a call at either 760-942-9100 or 760-402-9101.

Steven: Thanks for the link. I am off to check it out!

Jimmy: Thank you and you are welcome!

JAN

2008

I am a new blogger and I appreciate the tips. I will check my 'stuff' too.

Thanks again.

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