Someone has copied my content - Should I leave it?

[BarryOnline]

I recieved a Pingback and found that a forum has copied an entire page of content from my website, including images.

They have linked back to my site at the bottom of the thread but I don't know whether I should ask for them to remove it or leave it. It's a topic relevant forum so I may get some direct traffic through the link.

Should I leave the copied content where it is or ask for it to be removed?

[Talen]

Originally Posted by BarryOnline

I recieved a Pingback and found that a forum has copied an entire page of content from my website, including images.

They have linked back to my site at the bottom of the thread but I don't know whether I should ask for them to remove it or leave it. It's a topic relevant forum so I may get some direct traffic through the link.

Should I leave the copied content where it is or ask for it to be removed?

I would leave it be it will be good for you...especially when the forum is relevant to your content. It's more like social sharing than stealing...and much better than a tweet or facebook like.

[MarissaTAVision]

It probably does feel like a violation but as long as they are giving your site credit I guess let it go.

[freeson]

Originally Posted by thedigger

Ping back means one free link. Yes they used your content but one backlink as well. You cannot safe your content. So don't worry too much.

hmm, just ignore it since they link back to you, that tell Google exactly which is the original content.

[aloz]

Originally Posted by MarissaTAVision

It probably does feel like a violation but as long as they are giving your site credit I guess let it go.

Originally Posted by thedigger

Ping back means one free link. Yes they used your content but one backlink as well. You cannot safe your content. So don't worry too much.

I don't think this is a good idea as duplicate content can make your site vulnerable to google slaps, even when you are the first one to post the content. If you can, ask the owner to remove the content, tell him you would fire a DMCA complain if needed. However, if you think you can't do anything, just leave it that way.

[nicktyler]

Leave it. They are basically doing what you want them to do which is like your content and then tell others about it hence the link.

It is a bit cheeky for them to have copied the whole page though.

You could contact them and say that you are flattered they like your page enough to copy it but you would prefer that they add a screenshot whith a review/description and a link. Then see what the response is.

[KimboJim]

Unless the forum is ranking above you, then I don't see any reason to get rid of it. They are linking to you, and that's important. If they weren't, then I was going to say slap them with a cease and desist letter. However, that link does justify what they are doing.

[Theeban]

As far as they give a backlink to you, I do not think that this is going to be an issue to you. Is there any drops in traffic from Google or Is there any drops in SERP of Google? If you, you have to THINK about it and try to contact them. However, I GUESS, if that is your niche related forum, you will get improvement in your SERP.

[Bofu2U]

If it's a link let her roll!

[Talen]

Originally Posted by aloz

I don't think this is a good idea as duplicate content can make your site vulnerable to google slaps, even when you are the first one to post the content. If you can, ask the owner to remove the content, tell him you would fire a DMCA complain if needed. However, if you think you can't do anything, just leave it that way.

This is not considered duplicate content. This is exactly how real natural backlinks occur.

[Pyramid Linkers]

Originally Posted by Talen

This is not considered duplicate content. This is exactly how real natural backlinks occur.

He is correct. This is why you often see guest posts from you favorite SEO experts on other experts' blogs. Content is often syndicated to reach a larger audience. This is natural.