Duplicate content again

[Getit]

I have two different pages on the same site with duplicate content. Years ago our web designer set up this page with the following url: example.com/vgd.htm.

Several months ago I thought that by using a descriptive url we would get better search results so I copied the page and setup the following url:
example.com/very-good-content.htm

I never eliminated the original url and today I found the two urls back to back in Google results.

The original url has a PR of 5
and the descriptive url has a PR of 4. However I suspect that with proper linking the new url will acheive either a 5 or 6.

If I decide to keep the descriptive url should I eliminate the original PR5 url?... or can I keep it and replace it with completely new content? My concern is that the PR5 was
earned via different content....is this a form of spamming?

[edited by: vitaplease at 5:48 am (utc) on July 26, 2004]
[edit reason] examplified [/edit]

[kaled]

Simplest fix would be to create a "page moved - click here" page with a meta redirect in the head.

Google will follow the redirect (hopefully). You only need the click-here link for those users that have disabled meta redirects.

There are other ways to set up redirects too.

Kaled.

[yonnermark]

Also, try making a more descriptive topic title such as:

Is duplicate content a no-no?

[birdstuff]

Since the old page is already indexed and is showing PageRank on the toolbar, why waste it? Simply add some new content to the page and you're one page ahead of your competition.

Personally, I NEVER remove a URL that is ranked in Google. Instead, I just give it new content. And no, it isn't spamming.

[Getit]

Thanks for the help!

Am I correct in assuming that I need to take care of this soon so that I won't be penalized by Google for duplcate content?

[goodroi]

This needs to be handled sooner than later. You don't need to drop everything and handle it right now. It is more of a precaution that you should take.

[Getit]

>>>>Since the old page is already indexed and is showing PageRank on the toolbar, why waste it? Simply add some new content to the page and you're one page ahead of your competition.
Personally, I NEVER remove a URL that is ranked in Google. Instead, I just give it new content. And no, it isn't spamming. <<<<<<

Is it okay for me to remove ALL the old content and replace with completely NEW content?

Thanks in advance.

[birdstuff]

Is it okay for me to remove ALL the old content and replace with completely NEW content?

Yes, but make sure the new content is somewhat related to the old or people coming to the page via pre-existing inbound links will be upset over finding irrelevent content.