Reseller copies some of our site content

What might the implications be in Google?

[lk125]

I recently found out about one of our resellers copying many of our web site pages word-for-word on their site. Basically they just copied the source.

Now because it is a reseller, we do allow them to use some of our content as long as they customize it for their site. In this case though, it is basically duplicate content on another site.

Of course I have asked them to customize it, but in the meantime could this have any adverse effects for me in Google? It was not their entire site, but probably 30 - 40% of it.

[edited by: lk125 at 9:07 pm (utc) on July 22, 2002]

[mahlon]

It should not as far as I know. Our site uses copy (modified) from the manufacturers sites and they all rank really well except for the occasional spammers that carry their product. It would be interesting to see what the others here think.

[Hunter]

I have been surprised by how little needs to be different to pass under the radar, but the more sites involved the more you need to alter. It is definitely better to be safe than sorry however when it comes to the traffic that you are risking. I would just make it clear to all resellers that they must reorganize your content and not mirror your site in any way if they intend to use any of it. Also warn them that their reseller account will be cancelled after a few warnings if they don't comply.

[JamesR]

Have them change about 20% of it per page and they should be OK. A few sentences here and there reworded will do the trick.

[lk125]

Yes the reseller has been warned and we would never knowingly let something like this occur, but this one slipped under the radar. And with all the sites on the web, you may never know if someone lifts content from your site.

My concern is will the duplicate content effect my current rankings. I have heard before that Google frowns upon duplicate content.