Duplicate content refers to content that appears on multiple pages, either on the same website or on different websites. This can be intentional, such as when websites copy and paste content from other sites, or unintentional, such as when a website creates multiple versions of the same page with slightly different URLs.
Confusing search engines: Search engines may have difficulty determining which version of the content is the original or most relevant, which can hurt your rankings.
Diluting page authority: When the same content appears on multiple pages, it can dilute the authority of each individual page. This means that search engines may not view any of the pages as highly authoritative, which can hurt your overall rankings.
Penalization: Search engines may penalize websites for having duplicate content, especially if it is deemed to be intentionally misleading or manipulative.
User experience: Duplicate content can be confusing and frustrating for users, which can lead to a negative user experience and decreased engagement.
It’s important to create unique, high-quality content for each page on your website. If you have multiple versions of the same page with different URLs, you can use canonical tags to indicate to search engines which version is the primary or preferred version. Additionally, if you find that other websites are copying your content, you can file a DMCA takedown notice to have it removed.