GWT URL Removal Tool Risky to Use for Duplicate Pages?

[khi5]

I was planning to remove lots of URL's via GWT that are highly duplicate alike pages (similar pages exist on other websites across the web). However, this Google article had me a bit concerned: https://support.google.com/webmasters/answer/1269119?hl=en

I already have "noindex, follow" on the pages I want to remove from the index, but Google seems to take ages to remove pages from index, which appear to drag down unique content pages from my site.

[DennisSeymour]

There's really no problem with having pages on your site having content that can be seen on other sites. Since you have noindexed them already, it shouldn't be a problem.

If they aren't really getting any traffic for you or aren't really bringing in anything that helps the site overall, then just take them off.

Focus on your new and existing content.

[khi5]

issue with having pages that are similar to pages on other websites is the ratio of unique vs duplicate content is low and that can drag down other more unique pages ranking. The pages I have without much unique content is what users want: http://www.honoluluhi5.com/oahu/honolulu/hawaii-kai-homes/ but since content isn't unique I - unfortunately - need to noindex those pages and instead rank for this type of page: http://www.honoluluhi5.com/hawaii-kai-homes-real-estate/

When a user is looking for "….for sale" type keyword they want that first URL. Not the 2nd URL with pictures and video and writing. The "noindex, follow" is on the 1st URL, but still indexed after 1 month. I want to get de-indexed and I am trying to establish the risk associated with using that GWT tool - based on the article where G seems to indicate one shouldn't so easily use that tool. Conclusion is probably I have to be patient and wait for G to noindex those pages of mine. I look forward to the day G's algorithm can see the layout of a page and understand the value for users, even though it lacks unique content….

[MoosaHemani]

Last time I used URL removal in GWT was a long time ago and at that time the URL will not get out of the index for ever but for 90 days only and after that it will come again.

The better idea in any case is to use no index, no follow tag on the pages that you want out from the Google’s index!

Hope this helps!

[khi5]

adding "nofollow" as well makes it even easier to get out of the index?

[Matt-Williamson]

Hi

I have used the URL removal tool in the past to remove URLs with success - as we know it helps speed things up. What you have done is right and if you are patient Google will start removing each page as it crawls it again. You might find this confirmation from Google reassuring in your situation - https://support.google.com/webmasters/answer/93710?hl=en

Reading the article you posted of when not to use the tool I can't see that your pages fall into any of these categories - but either way I personally can't see using it causing an issue to be honest but its your call.