Re-using content

[newstd100]

Hi, I've just sold the domain for a website, so I'm free to re-purpose the content over to another website I own.

How can I make sure that Gg doesn't deem it as duplicate? Do I need to let Gg naturally realise that the 'original' website no longer has the content on it? Do I need to hold-off putting the content live again? Should I notify Gg by-way of a de-index request, etc (assuming the domain won't incur any difficulty if I do this)?

Thanks in advance.

[Thrillist]

I'd hate to answer your question with a link, but that's exactly what I'm about to do because it's the right answer to your question.

Here's a great explanation of what you need to do by John E. Lincoln.

[newstd100]

Hi, appreciate the reply but unfortunately the link you sent me is specific to a scenario whereby I retain ownership of both domains. This isn't the case for me.

[katemorris]

Interesting question. You only transferred the domain to someone else? Do they understand the content is not coming with the domain?

What is your expectation of moving the content to another domain? What are you trying to accomplish?

As long as the content is not showing for the old domain, I'd wait until the other site's content is either removed or updated to the new owner's content, and then move the content to a new domain. It shouldn't cause any issues.

[newstd100]

Yes, I've sold the domain "only".

I operate another website in the same sector, so am looking to re-purpose the content.

I don't want to cause the new owner any problems in the future, but wondered whether a manual de-index request for the pages I'm looking to re-use is one option?

[katemorris]

You need to still "own" that domain in WMT if memory serves correctly. But it could help. Do the URLs 404 right now?

[CleverPhD]

This make me think of a picture of a snake eating its own tail.

You buy a domain and build all this great content and then get links to that content, then you sell the domain but take all the content.  You just took away the think that built all the traffic and links, i.e. made the domain valuable.  If you still own all the content, sure you can put it on a new domain but you are basically starting over in building links to the content as all the previous links went to the old domain.  It is kind of a lose/lose situation here for both parties, unless you do not mind building from scratch.

If you are going through with this you need to do the following.

1. Make sure that the new owner of the domain you just sold has agreed to not republish your content.  Otherwise they have the upper hand and when you republish, Google will think your stuff is duplicate.

2. I agree with Kate, if you can, go ahead and 410 the content now on the domain you sold (but I assume still control) and request removal of it all through Search Console.  Yes, this will make the new domain less valuable for the new owner, but you are already going to do that by taking all the content.

Good luck!