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    4. Duplicate Content from on Competitor's site?

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    Duplicate Content from on Competitor's site?

    On-Page Optimization
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    • Dino64
      Dino64 Subscriber last edited by

      I've recently discovered large blocks of content on a competitors site that has been copy and pasted from a client's site. From what I know, this will only hurt the competitor and not my client since my guy was the original. Is this true? Is there any risk to my client? Should we take action?

      Dino

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • Dino64
        Dino64 Subscriber @EGOL last edited by

        Thanks, EGOL. It's definitely weaker, but will ask them to change it.

        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • EGOL
          EGOL last edited by

          ...this will only hurt the competitor and not my client...   Is this true?

          No

          Is there any risk to my client?

          Yes

          Should we take action?

          Maybe

          If copied content is placed on a stronger site or simply a site that Google likes better it can...

          1. outrank the original site

          2. pull traffic away from the original site for primary and long tail keywords

          3. acquire links, likes and tweets that should belong to original site

          4. cause Panda problems for the original site

          So, if the competitor who took the content is strong then your client could have a huge problem.  If the competitor is weak then you probably don't have a problem now but could have one at a future time.

          Go out looking at the SERPs for short and long tail keywords to see if this site is competitive.

          Dino64 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 3
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