How to avoid duplicate content issues with recurring events

[virtualreality]

I recently launched a website for events and I have the following problem. Many of the events are recurring and my event calendar software creates the pages for the recurring events automatically. So lets say the event occurs 10 times a year. Then I have 10 pages with the same copy and photos. the only difference is the date. What is best way to avoid duplicate content issues? Is using the canonical tag enough?

[netmeg]

Probably not. If all the events are *exactly* the same except for the date, better to aggregate them on one page. When my software didn't do that, I commissioned better software.

[virtualreality]

Thanks for your reply. Why do you think the canonical tag will not be enough? I though its purpose is to be used in the case of duplicate content.

[Shepherd]

Why do you think the canonical tag will not be enough?

What the purpose of having separate pages for each event date (other than "that's how the software works")?

The canonical tag "may" be enough but it's really just a bandaid covering the problem. Also, as new dates are added you're going to need to keep updating the canonical tag(s).

Netmeg's suggestion to aggregate the event dates on on event page is probably the best way to go. However, if you're going to have information specific to the event/date such as a followup or user reviews of the event on that date, well then you won't have a duplicate content issue.

[netmeg]

Why do you think the canonical tag will not be enough?

Fifteen years experience with event websites.

It's better for the *users* and Google knows it.

[Planet13]

+1 netmeg

[virtualreality]

Thanks all.