Duplicate Content on Product Pages

[gavinhoman]

I'm getting a lot of duplicate content errors on my ecommerce site www.outdoormegastore.co.uk mainly centered around product pages.

The products are completely different in terms of the title, meta data, product descriptions and images (with alt tags)but SEOmoz is still identifying them as duplicates and we've noticed a significant drop in google ranking lately.

Admittedly the product descriptions are a little bit thin but I don't understand why the pages would be viewed as duplicates and therefore can be ranked lower? The content is definitely unique too.

As an example these three pages have been identified as being duplicates of each other.

http://www.outdoormegastore.co.uk/regatta-landtrek-25l-rucksack.html

http://www.outdoormegastore.co.uk/canyon-bryce-adult-cycling-helmet-9045.html

http://www.outdoormegastore.co.uk/outwell-minnesota-6-carpet-for-green-07-08-tent.html

[activitysuper]

The thin content you do have is on multiple pages on your domain.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?complete/search?client=hp&hl=en&sugexp=frgbld&gs_nf=1&cp=180&gs_id=m&xhr=t&q=%22Regatta%20Landtrek%20rucksack%20styles%20are%20practical%2C%20functional%20outdoor%20packs%20with%20modern%20styling%20(Stan%20goes%20for%20the%2050s%20Teddy%20boy%20look).%20Great%20for%20many%20outdoor%20and%20leisure%20activities.%22&ech=2&psi=eOmLT7mNIefZ0QWXlM3ACw.1334569336975.3&emsg=NCSR&noj=1&ei=eumLT-ilNKGk0QWAvqy4CQ

[paulbaguley]

Hello

The reason these are coming up as duplicate content is due to the thin content. You need at least 300 unique words on each page to make good content and as you dont have as many words on these pages it is classing as a duplicate.

If you add more to each description then this will change and hopefully your rankings.

Good luck

[gavinhoman]

Thanks for the reply..

Would the 300 unique words be spread across just body content or would it include meta words too?

It's going to be difficult describing tent pegs in 300 words or more!

[activitysuper]

Just body.

You need a product template, this will make it easier. If you visit any major eCommerce website you will see every product has the same layout.

So something like...

Title of product > Short description > spec > FAQ's > etc

This is just an answer to a question on a forum and looks like a 100 or so words right here, you could have a FAQ's section on the products and just make the questions up and answer them.

http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090904093654AA2XDud

Always ways of creating content just need to have a good think and something will come up.

[gfiorelli1]

Good catch!

[Cyrus-Shepard]

Hi Gavin,

Just to clarify, SEOmoz flags your content as duplicate if finds 95% HTML similarity. You can use an online tool to compare pages yourself. I like this one:

http://www.webconfs.com/similar-page-checker.php

Google obviously uses a more sophisticated method than Moz, but it's still a good warning because pages without much unique content - even if they aren't true duplicates - often have a difficult time ranking for their targeted keywords.

[CommercePundit]

This is very good discussion on duplicate content. Ranking is going down on my website since last 3 days.

I have done drill down with SEO latest update and come to know about duplicate content on product pages.

My website contain true duplicate content on product page. But, I have found duplicate content on competitor website. (overstock)

They are not getting any issue regarding ranking. But, my certain category level page getting issue with ranking. I have added true duplicate in more than 2000 pages from manufacturer website to my website.

I am going to recover it by removing duplicate content or adding unique content on product page. Is there any additional inputs from SEOmoz users?

Competitor website:

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Delano-Sectional-Sofa-and-Storage-Ottoman-Set/5971863/product.html

My website:

http://www.vistastores.com/microsuede-sectional-sofa-chaise-and-storage-ottoman-set-of-3-pieces-ci-d10265-brn.html

Manufacturer website:

http://www.abbyson.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=237&category_id=55&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=87

[gfiorelli1]

Hi!

Actually you are doing well, as creating original product pages is the best option in order to avoid duplicated content issues.

If I was you, I would eventually see how to implement a UGC review option, in order to have product pages becoming even more unique with the pass of time.

About Overstock... sincerely I cannot give you an answer why it doesn't seem as suffering consequences for its duplications. It would be needed a deeper investigation, for which I don't have the time right now.

[CommercePundit]

Hi!

Actually you are doing well, as creating original product pages is the best option in order to avoid duplicated content issues.

I want to discuss more on this sentence. I am trying to establish user friendly experience on my eCommerce website by adding specific product description from manufacturer website to my website.

But, I am getting issue in ranking since last 3 days. My major keywords Office Chairs, Patio Umbrellas & Table Lamps are going down around -10 position. I have drill down more on it and come to know about this issue.

I have added product description from manufacturer website to my website in these category products. I am 100% sure, Google is giving rank drop due to this issue.

[activitysuper]

It maybe the duplicate content, but you say last 3 days?

You don't have a exact match domain do you?

[CommercePundit]

No, I don't have exact match domain. But, I have added duplicate content on too many product pages since last two week. I believe that, Google have crawled all product pages which contain duplicate content. And, I am getting issue regarding ranking.