What is a "cookie cutter" site?

[Equiano]

I saw a reference on google asking people to avoid creating "cookie cutter" sites. What is a "cookie cutter" site?

[digitalghost]

Cookie cutter sites are sites that are created with the same template, using nearly the same copy.

People were pumping them out by the hundreds in an attempt to garner all the top spots in the SERPS.

[Equiano]

DG

The actual quote I saw was

Avoid "doorway" pages created just for search engines, or other "cookie cutter" approaches such as affiliate programs with little or no original content.

Does this mean that Google or other Search Engine will frown on one buiding a webstore based primarily on the products of a company, say for arguements sake Amazon?

'cos I would think that building a webstore using templates is a valid approach

[digitalghost]

The key here is:

>>with little or no original content.

As long as you develop original content you're fine. Google doesn't know and doesn't care what your site looks like. Original, compelling content, intuitive navigation and valid code...

Getting into ODP with an affiliate site is a trick however.