Google has updated its guidance on handling duplicate content across websites. The company says webmasters should focus on making their pages unique and useful to users. Duplicate content often happens when the same or very similar text appears in more than one place online. This can confuse search engines and hurt a site’s visibility.
(Fixing Duplicate Content Issues for Google)
Google does not penalize sites just for having duplicate content. But it may choose not to show all versions of the same page in search results. That means some pages might get less traffic. To avoid this, site owners can use canonical tags. These tags tell Google which version of a page is the main one. They help keep search results clean and relevant.
Another way to fix duplicate content is by rewriting or merging similar pages. If two pages say almost the same thing, combining them into one strong page works better. Also, using 301 redirects helps send users and search engines to the right page when old content moves or gets deleted.
Sites that pull content from other sources should add original commentary or value. Simply copying text without changes offers little to users and search engines. Google wants people to find helpful information quickly. Pages that meet this goal tend to rank higher.
Webmasters who manage large sites with many product or category pages should watch for auto-generated duplicates. Small changes like color or size options can create many near-identical pages. Using parameter handling tools in Google Search Console can reduce this issue.
(Fixing Duplicate Content Issues for Google)
Google encourages site owners to check their content regularly. Tools like the URL Inspection tool and the Coverage report in Search Console can spot duplicate issues early. Fixing these problems helps sites stay visible and trusted in search results.