What Is Duplicate Content?
Duplicate content is identical or near-identical text that appears on more than one URL, either within the same website or across different domains.
Common Causes
Frequent causes include URL parameters creating multiple versions of the same page, HTTP and HTTPS or www and non-www versions both being accessible, printer-friendly page versions, syndicated content republished elsewhere without proper attribution, and ecommerce product descriptions duplicated from manufacturer copy across many competing sites.
How Canonical Tags and Redirects Fix It
A canonical tag tells search engines which version of duplicate or near-duplicate content is the authoritative one to index and rank, consolidating ranking signals onto that single preferred URL. Where duplicate versions shouldn’t exist at all (like both an HTTP and HTTPS version being live), a 301 redirect permanently resolves the issue by sending everything to one canonical URL.
WRITTEN BY
Annabelle Cochrane
MANAGING DIRECTOR & SEO SPECIALIST
Annabelle holds a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) from QUT and works directly with every ALC Consulting client. She’s based on the Sunshine Coast and works with businesses across Australia.
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