|
Visibility Generating
Authority Building
*
Writing and Marketing Information
|
|
| April 08, 2015 / Newsletter 040815
|
|
The Google Panda Algorithm, Your Website, and Duplicate Content
By Karen Cioffi
Although Google’s newest algorithm update had to do with Penguin
(website links), Panda is something you should also be paying attention
to.
Panda was developed to make sure sites produce high-quality content
aimed to benefit the reader with new or fresh information. ‘Poor’ (fluff
or no-value) quality content will cause a drop in search ranking for
the site.
This ‘poor’ quality content includes duplicate content – using reprints
(even permission-based reprints) and even if it’s ‘new’ and ‘fresh’ to
your audience.
If I hadn’t been hit with
dropping search ranking because of the Penguin update, I wouldn’t have
paid so much attention and I wouldn’t have researched more about all the
Google algorithms.
As little as last year, it was okay (at least I thought so according to a
video by Google’s Matt Cutts) to use reprints as long as you included
the “original article source link.” Meaning, as long as you linked to
the source, you were ‘good to go.’
Being a rule follower and ethical marketer, I took care to do what was
needed. I used permission-based reprints to help lighten my work load
and save time. I may have used them once a week or less.
BUT, it was always information relevant to my site and information my readers would find valuable. It worked.
THE HUGE PROBLEM
Unfortunately, Google considers this blogging practice “scraping.” And, per the Google Quality Guidelines, scraping should be avoided.
This “scraping” practice pertains to a wide variety of content:
- Articles
- Blog posts
- Videos
- Web copy
- And, so on
If you copy and republish content from other websites without adding any
original and substantial content or value of your own, you could (most
likely will) be penalized with a hit to your search ranking.
This holds true for all content on your website. If you have duplicate
content on your webpages, aside from blog post reprints, you could be
penalized.
Not Looking at the Whole Picture
I do get that Google wants to ensure a valuable experience for their
searchers. They want to provide them with the best possible results to
their questions. But, the company is not looking at the whole picture.
I mentioned I would use relevant permission-based reprints that were helpful and informative and FRESH to my audience.
I do lots of research – most of my readers don’t do the same type of
research. So, I’d share some of that information to give my audience a
broader reading experience and bring in new and different perspectives.
It worked. My audience appreciated my efforts.
While duplicate content is “duplicated content” to Google, IT’S NOT TO MY AUDIENCE.
The other element in the mix is that many bloggers like having their
content reprinted because it broadens their visibility to new audiences.
It’s just good marketing.
It really is a win-win situation.
But, none of this matters to Google.
My Dilemma
It’s obvious I, along with every other blogger out there, need to be in Google’s good graces, so I have to decide what to do.
Do I rewrite the blog post reprints I have on my site or do I just start
from this point forward with NO permission-based reprints?
Not sure what I’ll do yet.
Update: I've decided not to rewrite or delete the reprints I have
on my site. I've seen some 'high quality,' high-ranking sites that have
reprints with NO additional content. This makes me think it's not that
big a deal as long as the bulk of your content is original.
===============================================================
|
|
Is Your Business / Marketing Stuck in Neutral?
Get Traffic to Your Website with Inbound Marketing
This 4-week, interactive, in-depth e-class through WOW Women on Writing covers the four fundamental elements of inbound marketing: Website Optimization, Blogging Smart, Email Marketing, and Social Media Marketing.
What does this mean for you? Simple: More traffic, increased authority, better rankings, and more conversions (people who click on your call-to-actions)!
It’s must-know stuff (and easier to do than you think) for ALL marketers, including business owners, writers, authors . . .
Check it out today! Just CLICK HERE.
===================================================
|
| PERMISSION TO REPRINT
You may reprint this article from "The Writing World” in its entirety in your own blog or print/electronic newsletter. But, please include the following paragraph:
Article reprinted from The Writing World newsletter. Want more must-know writing and marketing information along with updates on free webinars right in your inbox? Get access to The Writing World (http://thewritingworld.com) today.
|
|
Karen Cioffi, Freelance Writer
For Individuals (Academic Papers, Essays, Editing, and More)
The Article Writing Doctor
Your Content Marketing Prescription
(For Small and Home Businesses)
karencioffi [at] ymail [dot] com
I'm an affiliate for some of the products I recommend. I only tell you about products I've checked out.
|
|
HAVE A QUESTION?
Send me an email with your question and I'll do my best to give you an answer.
|
|
| |
