Will similar article content cause Panda issues?

by nik0 Banned
26 replies
  • SEO
  • |
I received a let's say complain from one of my writers.

She said: "All there's to say about flat irons can be summed up in 3000 words so I have a hard time making all of the reviews unique".

This can be said of more then just one type of product and if you want to review a dozen or a few dozen I can imagine that the articles look quite similar in terms of features, pros and cons and what not really, even to the level that Google might interpretate it as a high quality manual spun article, though that's a bit far sought.

But what do you think, and what would you do to prevent this?
#article #content #issues #panda #similar
  • Profile picture of the author abe1
    If you fear your article is not original or duplicated I would suggest using something like Copyscape, each article that you get from your writer test it with Copyscape, if Copyscape tells you that the article is not original then ask your writer to make the necessary adjustments. I use it all the time and all of my articles are indexed on Google.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9692793].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author nik0
      Banned
      Originally Posted by abe1 View Post

      If you fear your article is not original or duplicated I would suggest using something like Copyscape, each article that you get from your writer test it with Copyscape, if Copyscape tells you that the article is not original then ask your writer to make the necessary adjustments. I use it all the time and all of my articles are indexed on Google.
      Indexed doesn't equal proper ranking, even word level spun content will get indexed easily.

      Copyscrape is not Google but it should help a bit I suppose.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9692982].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author paulgl
        I don't think amazon and others give a rat's behind about using the same
        shtuff as others, spun or not.

        Many problems can and should be attributed to other things, not
        spun, similar, or the same content.

        Paul
        Signature

        If you were disappointed in your results today, lower your standards tomorrow.

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9693010].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author hardcoderrsl
          I also hope that, but I'm not so sure about that.
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9693015].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author IMCapitalist
            I've been utilizing copyscape all these years to ensure articles I purchased met the <at least> unique percentage I put in line. This helps me a lot, but use various origins of writers definitely contribute to the uniqueness of their written articles.
            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9693067].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author SEO Power
    Just outsource the articles to completely different writers. Each writer would write it in a different way, which means all the articles will be unique.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9692811].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author nik0
      Banned
      Originally Posted by SEO Power View Post

      Just outsource the articles to completely different writers. Each writer would write it in a different way, which means all the articles will be unique.
      Thought about that though would like the site to be written in the same style, and that's hard to manage with multiple writers but yes it's definitely a solution to content looking to much the same.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9692977].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author markeeter
    Hire a team of writers instead on one. You can keep rotating the topics, and I am sure if they're two or three then they'll be able to handle it. To be on the safe side, Get Copyscape.

    Also give them time to write the reviews, if they write the reviews of same product on different days then they might produce something unique and useful.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9692854].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author yukon
    Banned
    Originally Posted by nik0 View Post

    I received a let's say complain from one of my writers.

    She said: "All there's to say about flat irons can be summed up in 3000 words so I have a hard time making all of the reviews unique".

    This can be said of more then just one type of product and if you want to review a dozen or a few dozen I can imagine that the articles look quite similar in terms of features, pros and cons and what not really, even to the level that Google might interpretate it as a high quality manual spun article, though that's a bit far sought.

    But what do you think, and what would you do to prevent this?
    Your writer is either incompetent or your focused on spamming a keyword instead of establishing the site as an authority. Reminds me of the old quote:

    Everything that can be invented has been invented.
    ...in other words, BS.

    I'm sure this is yet another Amazon site so the whole article thing is ridiculous to begin with just to pimp an affiliate link. How many people do you know get on Amazon to read articles about hair dryers or flat irons (none)? Nobody does that.

    Anyways...

    Back to the subject of not having anything to write about a subject, again, that's silly because there's about 100 directions you could take any subject (don't get me started on toaster ovens).

    What you need to do is break the subject down, it's a classic silo example. Take the subject & break it down into small parts. Look at the image below, you could write about a red car (keyword) or write about the individual parts of a car (pros/cons, safety, dependability, recalls, etc...).

    If you run out of ideas it's either you or your writers problem, it's not because the keyword/subject has limits. There's no limits to expanding on a subject. Trying to stuff everything on a single page is poor SEO planning. Use the 1st page on a subject to set you up to expand with a 2nd page on the same subject (relevant internal links). Repeat...






    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9693218].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author nik0
      Banned
      Originally Posted by yukon View Post

      Your writer is either incompetent or your focused on spamming a keyword instead of establishing the site as an authority. Reminds me of the old quote:



      ...in other words, BS.

      I'm sure this is yet another Amazon site so the whole article thing is ridiculous to begin with just to pimp an affiliate link. How many people do you know get on Amazon to read articles about hair dryers or flat irons (none)? Nobody does that.

      Anyways...

      Back to the subject of not having anything to write about a subject, again, that's silly because there's about 100 directions you could take any subject (don't get me started on toaster ovens).

      What you need to do is break the subject down, it's a classic silo example. Take the subject & break it down into small parts. Look at the image below, you could write about a red car (keyword) or write about the individual parts of a car (pros/cons, safety, dependability, recalls, etc...).

      If you run out of ideas it's either you or your writers problem, it's not because the keyword/subject has limits. There's no limits to expanding on a subject. Trying to stuff everything on a single page is poor SEO planning. Use the 1st page on a subject to set you up to expand with a 2nd page on the same subject (relevant internal links). Repeat...
      Typically Yukon

      The keyword is "flat iron" and I requested 10 reviews of approx. 700-800 words, as it are reviews we are reviewing different brands and models. Each on a seperate page though we do compare the product to a product of similar price and interlink that of course.

      In addition 5 informative articles and a homepage that kind of describes the whole site, target keyword is obvious best flat iron / flat iron reviews

      Your whole "article" concept is a bit short sighted though as we are reviewing the product and when a user types in "flat iron reviews" I do expect they want to read a review that outlines the strongest and weakest points, perhaps features, how it compares to other flat irons in the same price category etc etc.

      You are right that the end goal is to pimp an affiliate link, after all we're all here to make money.

      So you suggest that if we review say 10 different flat irons that we break each down in multiple pages? I would be very annoyed if I had to click through each time to see the next part of the article.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9693241].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author yukon
        Banned
        Originally Posted by nik0 View Post

        Typically Yukon

        The keyword is "flat iron" and I requested 10 reviews of approx. 700-800 words, as it are reviews we are reviewing different brands and models. Each on a seperate page though we do compare the product to a product of similar price and interlink that of course.

        In addition 5 informative articles and a homepage that kind of describes the whole site, target keyword is obvious best flat iron / flat iron reviews
        Your spamming nonsense, your not writing articles. You didn't test any of the products.

        A better idea would be to get on Youtube & hire people that are creating hair care tutorials, have them do the same type of tutorials but instead of a video make it all text + images for your own webpages. Include the product your promoting on the same page as the tutorial.

        So..., instead of spending gawd knows how much money on junk articles take that money & spend it on a Youtube user in the same niche that already has established hair care followers (same niche traffic). Now you have:
        • Webpage optimized for the product your selling (SEO)
        • Relevant tutorial (SEO)
        • Direct traffic (tutorial creators followers).

        Don't assume a YT content creator is overpriced compared to a junk article writer, you could potentially use multiple YT content creators that have their own domains (more backlinks).

        This way maybe you'll stop chasing Google updates. Create your own ehow for hair care (lol).

        Think long term.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9693301].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author nik0
          Banned
          Originally Posted by yukon View Post

          Your spamming nonsense, your not writing articles. You didn't test any of the products.

          A better idea would be to get on Youtube & hire people that are creating hair care tutorials, have them do the same type of tutorials but instead of a video make it all text + images for your own webpages. Include the product your promoting on the same page as the tutorial.

          So..., instead of spending gawd knows how much money on junk articles take that money & spend it on a Youtube user in the same niche that already has established hair care followers (same niche traffic). Now you have:
          • Webpage optimized for the product your selling (SEO)
          • Relevant tutorial (SEO)
          • Direct traffic (tutorial creators followers).

          Don't assume a YT content creator is overpriced compared to a junk article writer, you could potentially use multiple YT content creators that have their own domains (more backlinks).

          This way maybe you'll stop chasing Google updates. Create your own ehow for hair care (lol).

          Think long term.
          Nah that kind of stuff distracts them too much, the article must be so hell boring that they hop over to Amazon right away

          All kidding aside my plan is like this:

          - 20 review feeder sites in each niche, those drive traffic + rankings (a la PBN)

          - 10 niches in total

          - 10 more authority styled sites that will include tutorials, recipes, how to guides, and what not, preferably from some people who are knowledgable in that niche.

          Those 200 feeder sites will link to the authority sites and besides we'll do some link outreach based on real useful content, for the rest they are just build to pass juice, but they will rank on their own as well and should make their investment back in a couple of months.
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9693331].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author SEO-Dave
            Originally Posted by nik0 View Post

            Nah that kind of stuff distracts them too much, the article must be so hell boring that they hop over to Amazon right away
            I wouldn't discount Yukon's suggested plan of action, I've not tried YouTube content creators, but if they are comparable in price to low quality articles your end product (the content) could be better quality and more natural than a bunch of spun articles (most article writers I've used and looked at respin the content).

            Problem with the low quality content is long term success. You have short term success which is great, but it can end overnight if Google considers your site crap. Add in better quality content, less likely it will be downgraded.

            Interesting approach Yukon.

            David
            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9693501].message }}
            • Profile picture of the author nik0
              Banned
              Originally Posted by SEO-Dave View Post

              I wouldn't discount Yukon's suggested plan of action, I've not tried YouTube content creators, but if they are comparable in price to low quality articles your end product (the content) could be better quality and more natural than a bunch of spun articles (most article writers I've used and looked at respin the content).

              Problem with the low quality content is long term success. You have short term success which is great, but it can end overnight if Google considers your site crap. Add in better quality content, less likely it will be downgraded.

              Interesting approach Yukon.

              David
              It's a pretty good idea indeed.

              As for short term success, well the feeder sites will be a PBN, so a Penguin or Panda related penalty won't affect the linking power in any way so they still serve their purpose so either way it's not a case of throwing money away.
              {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9694319].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author SEO-Dave
    I'd base my decision on how much this writer is charging.

    If a low cost writer, what do you expect, you get what you pay for.

    If a high cost writer, find a better person for the job.

    Whatever that can be said in 3,000 words can be said in 6,000, it is very easy to write multiple articles about almost anything.

    David
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9693244].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author nik0
      Banned
      Originally Posted by SEO-Dave View Post

      I'd base my decision on how much this writer is charging.

      If a low cost writer, what do you expect, you get what you pay for.

      If a high cost writer, find a better person for the job.

      Whatever that can be said in 3,000 words can be said in 6,000, it is very easy to write multiple articles about almost anything.

      David
      It sounds like she's not really a writer but just looking to have something to do in quite times, at least that's what I understood from it. My demands aren't that high though, even the worse content converts, yes I'm still in the mind set of as long as they end up on Amazon they'll convert them.

      Right now I have 4 sites ranking well with crappy content, they bring in a combined $1500/month which is really not that bad when you realize the content was less then 100 bucks for 20+ pages.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9693274].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author usemyteam
    Get two or three writers to help with the content to make it unique. And I agree that using Copyscape could really be helpful.
    Signature

    Not Just “Another” Team
    UseMyTeam

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9693319].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author yukon
      Banned
      Originally Posted by usemyteam View Post

      Get two or three writers to help with the content to make it unique. And I agree that using Copyscape could really be helpful.
      Copyscape is useless, look directly at Google SERPs by searching a snippet of the content in double quotes.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9693322].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Ybholy
    Be yourself , be mindful of your system of write-ups .

    The structure of your writing matters a lot to avoid duplicate content.
    Signature

    For all Mobile Updates, Computer News and Technology Tips>>https://www.wpbloggertemplates.com is there for you!!!

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9693327].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author windsurfgirl
    Is 60% unique article unique enough?
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9693391].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Dennis Ray
    If you can, always have multiple writers and make sure everything you get back proofread and put through copyscape.

    But you have got to make sure you provide quality in what is written. In my opinion gone are the days of minimum 300 word articles and content spinning. These tactics might get you a little juice, but in the long run, you are going to be wishing you had done it differently.

    The days of churn and burn sites are pretty much gone... it still happens but they only function at a small fraction of their old strength. not the mention you take with your sites health. Google is getting smarter every day and clamping down. You need to be ready for that.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9693439].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Intrepreneur
    Alternate between writers to get different words. But in essence similar content won't be subject to Panda.

    You just can't win em all.

    Throw enough mud at a wall and some of it will stick.

    That's how I feel about Google.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9693824].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Vansskavv
    Hi

    If you are not be able to find duplicate content so check third party tool ,like small seo tool ,PlagSpotte etc
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9694936].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Ross Dalangin
    Your writer is honest with you so still keep him/her. Just add some new writers so you can get a lot of ideas and different point of views.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9694961].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author nik0
      Banned
      Originally Posted by Ross Dalangin View Post

      Your writer is honest with you so still keep him/her. Just add some new writers so you can get a lot of ideas and different point of views.
      I appreciate that as well indeed, just started reading the articles and I like the writing style, quite a bit different then most of the India writers who are writing in wiki style and you can tell them a thousand times that you want them to have a personal touch but it doesn't matter a single bit.

      Obvious there are solid writers in India, I just haven't found them yet
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9694980].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author rajibkp
    I recently discovered duplicate urls caused by parameters I am not even linking to on my site, but were made available to googlebot somehow by the developers of my site...
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9695012].message }}

Trending Topics