What to do about duplicate content

[Former_Member]

I just read through a very long, older thread about how your ranking in google goes down when your items have duplicate content

I have very similar items, I have been working on all the other SEO things you have help us with, but I am at a loss how to handle this.

Do you have any tips as to how much they have to be different? I worked really hard to find keywords etc and updated everything to reflect that but if it is all handspun yarn, but differnt colors what do I do?

It seems like all the SEO work was for naught if I get busted for duplicate content.

Thanks for your suggestions

[Former_Member]

You can use the same keywords on many listings but the text has to be unique. Google does not publish any guidelines for duplicate content and low quality content. You must be creative and write unique text for each listing and test your listings on Google by searching on the primary keyword phrase.

If Google only brings up one of your listings and you have several others using the same keywords that are much further back in the search results, you will have to keep working on the unique content.

GraceG2 has good ideas for streamlining the writing process. You should be dropping in some time this weekend and can share her ideas with you.

[Former_Member]

Can 't wait to here Wyatt GraceG2 has to say. This confuses me. I would love some more info.

[GraceEarrings]

me ? moi ?

[Former_Member]

Batter up Grace, I'm listening too! LOL!

[GraceEarrings]

i am the expert in *copy & paste * ,
because I have 2 shops ( this earrings shop & GraceG2 is my crochet pattern shop )
ALL are similar items , there is no other way to say " crochet pattern " & " earring is earring is earring " ....know what I mean ? I do love *copy & paste *.

I have been editing my listings , varying the words & I still have lots of listings further back in Google BUT
apparently ** some listings *** must be closer to the front b/c i am now getting more google traffic from other countries,
whereas before , i have none .

Remember what you do, there is >>> no way << that your listings will be 100% different from your other listings, please remember this,
so you will not run yourself ragged on the hamster wheel :)
You can only do your best to change some words
but
they will still be " some what similar " because the English language in your listings are fill with common words : such as all the prepositions ,nouns , this, that, what , is, are , am etc etc.

here are just a few tips, feel free to ask specific question so I know how to help you ,ok?
~ use your dictionary to help find similar words to use.
~ vary / change many of the words around.
~ keep the same keywords if those are the most suitable words to use.
~ keep the same " must have info " such as size, measurements.
~ all others wording can be " adjust " .

~ there are many ways to say the same thing . I am using how to write a sentence to direct folks back to your shop page, your policy page, your section page etc :
> browse at my shop [ link ] ....
> if you like to see what else i have in my shop [ link]
> this will take you back to see all my other items [ link ]
> for those of you who like my prints ( your widgets) , here [ link ]
> Travel back to my shop [ link ]
> sit back & relax & enjoy my shop [ link ]
> stay a while & enjoy my shop [ link ]
> if you need more info on my policy /shipping time , I have it here [ link ]
> back to see all the handmade items in my little shop [ link ]
> for those who love my items, be sure to see them here [ link ]
> if you only wear solid silver, her are all my silver earrings [ link ]
> if you love my yarn , would you like to see all the other colors / selections I have, here is the link [ link ]
> I bet you love to checkout all my handmade items, here [ link ]
> 1,2,3, hop back to my shop main page here [ link ]

a few ways to say ' sizes ' :
> would you like another size?
> need another size?
> want a different size ?
> can I get you another size?
> can i make you a smaller size or a bigger size to fit you better?
> would you need a bigger size to suit your need?
> prefer a different size?
> is another size more suitable for you?
> would you need my help in choosing size?
> is this size ok ? if not, let me know.
> would you like to know more about the size I have?

if you have a specific question , ask me, I am here.

[Former_Member]

Thank you so much...that is very helpful. I will be working on this next.

[Former_Member]

Wow Thank you Hrace. So much great info

[AnneLondezGlass]

I'm in the same position since I sell glass beads and there aren't that many ways of describing them. And I do have similar info in every listing that I really want people to see right away without having to go to my policies page. Any suggestion would be helpful !

[Former_Member]

Grace - I believe it was you who uses a spreadsheet, right?
I've been updating listings as they expire, trying to track everything in a spreadsheet to see what I have said already. I'm adding more "words" to the descriptions.
I have not done a new google search yet as I know it takes time for google to revisit but views are slowly but surely starting to go up. but I've probably only redone maybe 20 of my 100 listings!
it takes time (quite a bit) but once you start working on writing it really does start to come a bit more naturally :)

[GraceEarrings]

to Dawn:
no, i don't use a spreadsheet ( i think its Mary ),
i barely know where the "on & off" button is on my computer:)

I use a *** pen & a piece of scrap paper *** lol, yes, i am serious.

to Anne,
for must-have info, such as how you make them,
you can still change some wording around a bit so that the meanings stay the same , if you could post a few sentences / or a small paragraph right here, I can see what I can do ....to give you some inspirations .

[GraceEarrings]

hi Anne, can I use this part of your listing as an example?
my words are in [ ] bracket.
so you can see other ways to say the exact same thing.
just my random thoughts. you can fine tune it later yourself.

_______________________________
SHIPPING : This bead set is ready to ship
[ this will go out in the mail within 24hours . This can be posted / mailed right away for you . I will mail this out for you within one business day or on the next day . This lovely bead can be shipped out right away ] .

HANDMADE : These beads [ all my lovely beads ]
were made in Switzerland by me
[ or say : I handmade all my beads ]

[ i use only the best soft glass from Germany ]
using Venitian and German soft glass and
[ meticulously / carefully ] properly kiln-annealed
[ meticulously annealed in my kiln ]
for durability. [ so that they will last for a very long time ].

I am a [ i have been ] professional glass beadmaker and a Self Representing Artist SRA L-107. [ since 19xx or stated a year ].

Please NOTE... PICTURES [ special notes: all my photos ]
[ I take all my photographs with my digital camera ]

are taken using a digital camera and studio lighting and
[ my photos are cropped close up so that you can see all these lovely little details ]
are enlarged to enhance details.

____________________________

sounds ok?

[AnneLondezGlass]

That does sound great, thanks. I was about to post those paragraphs too. It's even more difficult for me as English is my second language !

[GraceEarrings]

i have a few minutes folks ......
ask me a specific question...
before I go start on my 4 custom made orders ......

fast answer is free
correct answers cost a cup of hot tea .....

[Tigerseyecrafts]

I love your suggestions, I've been working really hard on wording, too. Back to the drawing board. LOL

[unYarnMe]

Wow ... great examples here.

[maryannfarley]

I've been adding little stories to the end of my descriptions, and when I use that online comparison tool (that tells you the percentage of what's the same), I've dropped down into the 75% range.

Could you kindly look at this listing and tell me if it's worth it that I do this, as I have 180 items in my shop. That's a LOT of little stories to tell. Worth it if it will work though...

http://www.etsy.com/listing/90898445/pendant-silver-pendant-necklace-charm

Thank you!

[GraceEarrings]

i won't be able to look at a few of your listings and compare them side by side,
but 75% seems like very good.
because when I used that tool thing, mine are only 90% sim
no matter how I changed my wording,
so you are ahead of me :)

give yourself a pad on he back!
if you have a very specific question, I can help you & see how to re-word it,
but I won't be able to read through some the listings due to my own time crunch , got 5 orders staring right at me :)

BUT i love the story in this listings....really great !
and I think it is helping you .

[maryannfarley]

Oh, I wasn't asking you to compare side by side. I just wanted your opinion on the "story/background" idea, to make sure that it was an okay thing to do.

I suppose what I'm doing here is not so much changing the basic wording of my listings. I'm just adding tons of fresh verbiage at the end that brings down the percentage significantly.

Obviously, I don't expect people to read it. I'm giving them all the pertinent info at the top, then just saying "Background" at the end, which is a tip that they can choose to read it or not.

Thanks for taking the time to look at that listing. I appreciate it.

[GraceEarrings]

i think that extra bunch of words are very very very helpful ,
i am the non-tech person here, so this is just my opinion,
to help 'un-duplicate "or lessen the duplicate content.

i still think 70% is much better than mine , so good job ! keep up the good work.

[GreenStreetMosaics]

What about specific phrases at the end (or beginning) of each posting?

For example,I am working on changing the wording for the rest of the text, but would like to include shop specific (basically marketing) text on all listings. I would like to include the following three things in ALL listings. Do you advise against this?

TEXT for all listings:
** Need a different color combination? Contact me for details - I love doing custom orders.

** Read my shop policies here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/GreenStreetMosaics/policy

**See my entire selection of mosaic picture frames, mosaic mirrors, mosaic candle holders, mosaic trivets, and more here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/GreenStreetMosaics

Thanks for any responses!

[Former_Member]

Lauren -
The end type stuff you posted is mostly what I have been changing on my listings in order to get the duplicate text down. Between links and the misc typical info, that stuff was like 1/4 of my listings content.

The line for "custom orders".... Try different phrases for each listing....
"Love this style, but looking for a different color?"
"Custom orders are no problem with my shop! Send me a message."
"I have access to many colors/supplies. Feel free to contact me regarding a custom order that meets your needs."

That sort of stuff. You can do the same for your links. I have managed to get my listings down in duplication that way.... Changing the other info on my items is way harder.

[GreenStreetMosaics]

This is VERY helpful. Thank you so much. Off to change the wording... again! I feel like this is a never ending process.... But hopefully my searches and hits will go up after I put in the time to change the wording. Thank you very, very much!!!

[Former_Member]

Lauren - I started this process at the beginning of the month. I work on tags/titles/wording as I add new listings and as I renew. Just not enough time to do 120 at once. I am struggling with views (and sales) hoping to see things pick up. Seems like my views are getting better from google and outside Etsy, but we shall see!

[GraceEarrings]

to Dawn
don't say ' feel free to contact me....'
the word free is dislike by google.
like smoke free, free shipping, pet free, free of charge etc

try:
' simply contact me / just send me a note / send me a message "