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I'm always dubious of duplicate site content, automatically generated content is a bad idea. Google will pick up on that like shot. I would guess it's a combination of both duplicate content and automatically generated content. I have yet to see an actual penalty for duplicated on site content, although I guess it could happen.  But what I have seen is that Google will be less favourable to your site if there is a substantial amount of duplicate content.

Hi, The very best article that I refer everyone to when looking at internal linking, is here. The theory is that you create a strong, relevant link, but make it suitable and in context with the text where it comes from. -Andy

Topical relevance (LDA) has been positively correlated as one of the strongest onsite rankings factors (https://moz.com/search-ranking-factors/correlations)  and as a result has been a driving factor behind sites adding additional contextual content.   In my experience, a well ranking site likely has a higher contextual relevance because it has comprehensive content on the topic demonstrating subject matter expertise... As SEOs, we typically mimic those strategies that we know high-ranking sites have implemented in an effort to gain higher rankings ourselves.  For business that aren't subject matter experts, and simply add contextually relevant content, the result isn't often improved rankings for the target keyword (e.g.  iphone 5 coupons), but instead is an increase in the overall traffic to the site as a result of a broader set of long-tail keywords with rankings (get discounted iphone 5, best deal on iphone 5, etc.)

Hi poke1! If Gaston's replies helped, mind marking one or more as a "Good Answer?" It'll get him some bonus MozPoints, and it's helpful for us. Otherwise, how can we be of more help?