Duplicate content : domain alias issue

[Netsociety]

Hello there !

Let's say my client has 2 webshops  (that exists since long time, so many backlinks & good authority on both) :

• individuals.nl : for individuals  (has 200 backlinks, let's say)
• pros.nl : exact same products, exact same content, but with a different branding intended to professionnals  (has 100 backlinks, let's say)

So, both websites are 99% identical and it has to remain like that !!! Obviously, this creates duplicate content issues.

Goal :  I want "individuals.nl" to get all ranking value (while "pros.nl" should remain accessible through direct access & appear on it's own brand queries).

Solution ?

1. Implement canonical tags on "pros**.nl**" that goes to "individuals.nl". That way, "individuals.nl" will get all ranking value, while "pros.nl" will still be reachable through direct access.

   However, "individuals.nl" will then replace "pros.nl" from SERP in the long-term. The only thing I want is to keep "pros.nl" visible for its own brand queries   ->  it won't be possible through organic search result, so, I'm just gonna buy those "pros" queries through paid search !

2. Put links on all pages of  pros.nl  to  individuals.nl  (but not the other way around),  so that "pros.nl" will pass some ranking value to "individuals.nl" (but only a small part of the ranking value  ->  ideally, I would like to pass all link value to this domain).

Could someone advise me ???  (I know it sound a bit complicated... but I don't have much choice ^^)

[DmitriiK]

Howdy.

I say go with canonicals for all pages but home page. And make sure that there is a bit of different content on that home page, maybe an explanation of differences between two of your sites.

That would be the only way to resolve duplicate content issues. Second way would not.

Hope this helps

[Netsociety]

Thanks a lot for you quick reaction !

I'm just wondering : if I don't put the canonical on the "pros.nl" homepage  ->  that means this domain will still keep most of its link juice right (since most backlinks refer to the homepage) ??

Since my goal is to transfer all the link juice to "individuals.nl" (while keep it accessible for navigation)... don't you think my idea of putting the canonical everywhere (and buying the brand through Paid Search to remain visible on SERP) make sense ?

[DmitriiK]

If you have a budget for paid search and dont care about it ranking organically - sure However, not everyone will go for paid search ads. As for link juice - just add dofollow links to individuals.nl on non-canonicalized home page and that will transfer pretty much all the juice.