Newspaper Site - Need Advice re. Duplicate Content

[zedbiz]

I am working with a client that has an online Newspaper site.

They have multiple cities that they produce local online newspapers for.

They are using WordPress multi-site as a platform which allows them to post the articles in the core site, set the category, then use wp-multisite plugin to set which papers get that article.

Then each city paper (a separate multi-site) displays the content.

Some content is specific to one city, some is gets distributed to 3-4 cities, and some goes to the entire network (14 at present, soon to be 25).

This leaves us with multiple copies of articles out on the net - under the different city papers.

Will Google penalize for duplicate content on this type of site?
Thanks
Jack

[Michael55555]

Probably, at least not all the duplicate articles will like rank as well as if they were unique, but if you are being white hat about it, and have a legitimate reason to post duplicate content, you probably have not much to be concerned about, IMO.

[jonnyhardbaked]

You will not get penalized from it. Google will only filter the copies that will suit in the user's query upon searching. Meaning, the most related copy to what user is finding will be pulled up. Other copies will remain as is.

Another thing, there is no such thing as duplicate content penalty.

Duplicate Content, The Myth Drags On, And On And On! - Modtalk

There is a link that will redirect you to Google webmaster help and you must take note the word "FILTERING".

[Kurt]

As Johnny stated above...There's probably not a doop content penalty, unless Google thinks you're doing something you shouldn't be doing. In most cases, Google simply ignores pages it thinks are doops.

Obviously, the more the pages differ, the safer you are...But you can alway post the doops and see if they get indexed. If not, change them as needed.

[zedbiz]

what about using the rel tag and canonical ??

[aaditachaudhary]

you have stated in your own statement that the content is duplicate then there are chances to be penalized. There will be difference of ranking though!