Is Repeat Info On A Website Bad For SEO? (Find Out With Our FREE Content Cannibalization Quiz!)

August 13, 2024 By: Hayden Jarman

You ever hear the same story from someone so many times you start questioning if they have anything new to say?

Well, search engines feel the same way about your website.

If your site is full of repetitive content, Google might just roll its eyes and move on to someone more interesting.

So, what’s the deal with duplicate content? Is repeat info on a website bad for SEO?

Spoiler alert: it’s not just bad—it’s like showing up to a party in the same outfit as everyone else.

Awkward.

Let’s dive in and get to the bottom of why repeating yourself on the web can make your SEO life a living hell and what you can do about it.

🔍 SEO Duplicate Content Checklist 🚀

Run an SEO audit

Implement canonical tags

Minimize boilerplate content

Handle syndicated content properly

Create unique, valuable content

Consolidate similar pages

Check for URL parameter issues

Review internal linking structure

Why Repeating Yourself is the Worst (for SEO)
How to Spot and Fix Duplicate Content Like a Pro
Real-Life Examples of Duplicate Content Disasters (and How to Avoid Them)
Final Thoughts
Additional Resources

Why Repeating Yourself is the Worst (for SEO)

1. Google’s Not Impressed with Your Echo Chamber

Why repeating yourself is the worst for SEO

Imagine you’re at a job interview, and all you can do is repeat the same answer to every question.

Not a great look, right?

That’s basically what happens when your website is full of duplicate content.

Google’s algorithm is like that unimpressed interviewer—it’s looking for unique, valuable answers, not the same old spiel.

When your site has repeat content, search engines struggle to figure out which page to prioritize, leading to lower rankings for all the duplicates.

And trust me, nobody wants to end up in the search engine graveyard.

If you want to stand out, you need to Make a Blog Work for Your Business by focusing on creating fresh, unique content instead of rehashing the same old stuff.

2. The Myth of “But It’s Not Exactly the Same!”

Here’s the thing: Google’s smarter than your average bear.

Just because your content isn’t exactly the same doesn’t mean it won’t get flagged as duplicate.

Slight variations, boilerplate text, or the same content across different pages with minor tweaks?

Yep, those all count as repeats.

Think of it like trying to fool your teacher by submitting the same essay with a few words swapped out.

You might get away with it for a while, but sooner or later, you’ll get caught.

If you're new to content creation, check out the Beginner's Guide to Content Marketing to understand how to craft unique, valuable content that avoids duplication.

3. The Silent Killer: Cannibalization

No, I’m not talking about some creepy horror flick.

Cannibalization in SEO happens when your own content is competing against itself.

Imagine if every time you opened your mouth to speak, someone else (also you) started talking over you.

That’s what duplicate content does—it forces your pages to fight for attention, and nobody wins.

Google gets confused about which page to rank, and you end up with lower visibility across the board.

To avoid cannibalization, focus on creating unique content that truly stands out.

🔍 Do You Have a Content Cannibalization Problem? 🌱

Learn more about why Improving Your Visual Content can make your site more engaging and less prone to content cannibalization.

How to Spot and Fix Duplicate Content Like a Pro

how to find duplicate content with an SEO audit

1. Run an SEO Audit (Because Knowledge is Power)

The first step to fixing any problem is admitting you have one.

Running an SEO audit is like getting a health checkup for your website.

Tools like Google Search Console, Screaming Frog, or Ahrefs can help you identify where duplicate content is lurking.

Once you know where the repeats are, you can take steps to fix them.

And no, ignoring the problem won’t make it go away.

2. Use Canonical Tags: The Magic Wand of SEO

Canonical tags are like the “choose your own adventure” of the SEO world.

They tell search engines which version of a page is the original, so Google doesn’t get confused and tank your rankings.

If you have multiple pages with similar content (and sometimes it’s unavoidable), a canonical tag can help you avoid the dreaded duplicate content penalty.

Understanding SEO best practices is crucial, so take a look at what we LOVE about Working at BlueTone Media and how we implement these strategies in our own work.

3. Minimize Boilerplate Content (AKA Lazy Writing)

Boilerplate content is like that filler episode in your favorite TV show—nobody really wants it, but it’s there anyway.

If you’ve got the same chunks of text on multiple pages (like disclaimers or product descriptions), try to mix it up a bit.

Sure, some repetition is unavoidable, but make sure the meat of your content is unique and adds value.

Otherwise, you’re just wasting valuable SEO real estate.

Check out the BlueTone Media Blog for more tips on how to keep your content fresh and engaging.

4. Syndicated Content: Handle with Care

Syndicated content is when you share your content across multiple platforms or websites.

While this can be a good strategy for getting more eyes on your content, it can also lead to duplicate content issues if not handled correctly.

Make sure to include a canonical link back to the original content or use the “noindex” tag to keep the duplicates from showing up in search results.

5. Focus on Unique, Valuable Content

At the end of the day, the best way to avoid duplicate content issues is to create content that’s so damn good, it can’t be found anywhere else.

This means focusing on quality over quantity, adding your own unique insights, and making sure every piece of content you publish is something your audience actually wants to read.

Because let’s face it, if you’re just repeating what everyone else is saying, why should Google—or anyone else—care?

Understand the Importance of Unique Content for SEO and how it can set your site apart from the competition.

Real-Life Examples of Duplicate Content Disasters (and How to Avoid Them)

Let’s take a quick look at some real-world examples of how duplicate content can mess with your SEO—and what you can do to avoid these pitfalls.

duplicate content disasters, and how to fix them

Example 1: The E-commerce Nightmare

An online retailer noticed that their product pages weren’t ranking as well as they used to.

After running an audit, they discovered that each product had multiple pages with nearly identical content, thanks to different variations in URL parameters (e.g., color, size).

This was confusing search engines and diluting their SEO efforts.

The fix?

Implementing canonical tags and consolidating the pages into a single, optimized version.

Example 2: The Blog That Blogged Itself to Death

A popular blog site thought it would be a good idea to republish the same articles across multiple categories.

Big mistake.

Search engines couldn’t figure out which version to prioritize, and the blog’s overall ranking took a hit.

The lesson?

If you must republish content, use canonical tags or consider updating the original post instead of creating duplicate entries.

Example 3: The Syndication Slip-Up

A business decided to syndicate their blog posts across multiple partner sites to increase exposure.

While this did drive more traffic, it also led to duplicate content issues, as the syndicated versions started outranking the original posts.

The solution?

Adding a “noindex” tag to the syndicated content and making sure all external sites linked back to the original article.

Final Thoughts

So, is repeat info on a website bad for SEO?

Absolutely.

It’s like showing up to a dinner party with the same dish as everyone else—nobody’s impressed, and you’re left with a plate full of mediocrity.

The good news is that by understanding the pitfalls of duplicate content and taking steps to avoid them, you can keep your website in Google’s good graces and your rankings intact.

Remember, the key to great SEO isn’t just about following the rules; it’s about standing out from the crowd.

So, stop repeating yourself, and start creating content that’s worth talking about.

Ready to ditch the duplicate content and take your SEO game to the next level?

Check out the BlueTone Media Blog for more tips and strategies to start optimizing your site today.

Because life’s too short for boring, repetitive content.

Additional Resources

For those interested in diving deeper into the topic of duplicate content and how repeated information on a website can impact SEO, here are some authoritative resources that provide further insights:

Neil Patel Blog

Duplicate Content: 5 Myths and 5 Facts About How It Impacts SEO
Overview: Neil Patel's article dispels common myths about duplicate content and its effects on SEO. While Google doesn't directly penalize sites for duplicate content, it can cause confusion for search engines, affecting page rankings. The blog provides practical advice on managing duplicate content using strategies like canonical tags and proper CMS configuration.

ViserX Blog

Duplicate Content: Is Repeat Info on a Website Bad for SEO?
Overview: This blog post discusses the potential negative consequences of repetitive information on a website, such as being perceived as deceptive by search engines, which can lead to lower rankings. It emphasizes the need for genuine, unique content to boost SEO performance.

Loen Marketing Blog

Is Repeat Info on a Website Bad for SEO?
Overview: Loen Marketing's article delves into the nuances of duplicate content and its impact on SEO. It discusses when duplicate content becomes a problem and offers strategies to mitigate the risk, such as the use of canonical tags and the creation of unique, valuable content.

Semrush Blog

Duplicate Content: What Is It + 4 Ways to Address It
Overview: This comprehensive guide from Semrush explains the various negative effects of duplicate content on SEO, including dilution of link equity and inefficient use of crawl budget. It also provides actionable steps for identifying and addressing duplicate content, such as conducting site audits and implementing canonical tags.

Need More Help?

If you're concerned about duplicate content on your website and want expert guidance on how to optimize your SEO strategy, reach out to the team at BlueTone Media. Our experts can help you navigate the complexities of SEO and ensure your content is both unique and effective, driving better search engine rankings and increased visibility for your site.

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