How to avoid duplicate content

Summary

In this video, Martin Splitt discusses strategies for managing duplicate content in Google Search. He highlights the importance of using the canonical URL tag to help Google select the correct page to index, explains common reasons pages might not be indexed, and offers solutions such as adjusting internal links or setting up redirects. Splitt also advises combining similar pages to streamline content and improve user experience. These strategies aim to reduce duplicate content issues, improve SEO, and simplify reporting in Google Search Console.

Takeaways

• 😀 Specify a canonical URL with the <link rel='canonical'> tag to help Google Search decide which URL to index for a page.
• 😀 Google Search treats the canonical tag as a hint, and it may choose a different URL to index if the tag is used incorrectly.
• 😀 Duplicate content itself doesn't affect a site's perceived quality but can cause tracking and crawling issues.
• 😀 Duplicate content can cause pages to compete with each other and slow down crawling, especially at a larger scale.
• 😀 In Google Search Console, you may see reports showing reasons why a page wasn’t indexed due to duplicate content.
• 😀 'Duplicate without user-selected canonical' occurs when multiple URLs have similar content but no canonical signal.
• 😀 To fix duplicate content issues, specify the canonical URL in the HTML tag or HTTP headers.
• 😀 'Duplicate Google chose different canonical than user' happens when Google selects a different URL to index, often due to internal links pointing to a non-canonical URL.
• 😀 To resolve the 'duplicate Google chose different canonical' issue, update internal links to point to the canonical URL or set up 301 redirects from non-canonical URLs.
• 😀 Combining similar pages into one can simplify content for users, make Google Search Console reporting easier, and reduce site clutter.
• 😀 Regularly review your site to combine similar pages, set correct canonical tags, and ensure proper redirects to reduce duplicate content.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the canonical URL tag?

The canonical URL tag is used to help Google Search determine which version of a page to index when there are multiple URLs with similar or identical content. It signals the preferred URL for indexing.

Does duplicate content affect the quality of a website?

No, duplicate content does not directly impact the perceived quality of a website. However, it can create challenges for website owners in tracking page performance and indexing, especially when content competes with itself or slows down crawling.

What is the main issue with duplicate content on a website?

The main issue is that duplicate content can confuse search engines, making it harder for them to determine which version of a page to index. This can lead to delays in crawling and indexing, and potentially cause content to compete against itself.

What does 'duplicate without user-selected canonical' mean in Google Search Console?

It means that Googlebot has found the same content across multiple URLs, but the HTML of the page does not contain a canonical tag specifying which URL should be indexed. Google will choose a URL to index based on its own assessment.

How can you fix the 'duplicate without user-selected canonical' issue?

To fix this, you can add a canonical tag in the HTML of the page or in the HTTP header to indicate which URL should be indexed by Google Search.

What happens if Google chooses a different canonical URL than the one declared by the website owner?

If Google chooses a different canonical URL, it typically happens when other URLs have stronger signals, such as more backlinks or internal links pointing to them. It’s not an issue unless the wrong URL is chosen.

How can you address the 'duplicate Google chose different canonical than user' issue?

To address this, you should check for internal links pointing to a different URL and update them to point to the desired canonical URL. If external sites are linking to the wrong URL, consider setting up server redirects to the canonical URL.

What type of redirect is recommended when fixing a canonical URL issue?

A 301 redirect is recommended because it permanently redirects traffic from a noncanonical URL to the canonical URL. This helps preserve SEO value and improves user experience by avoiding unnecessary redirects.

What is the benefit of combining similar pages on a website?

Combining similar pages can simplify the site structure, reduce clutter, improve user experience by making information easier to find, and make it easier to track performance in Google Search Console.

What steps should be taken to manage duplicate content on a site?

To manage duplicate content, combine similar pages where possible, set a canonical URL using the appropriate tag or HTTP header, and consider using redirects from noncanonical URLs to the canonical ones.