I set up a website about a year and a half ago to aggregate and centralize MCAT resources for users to review and vote on. The site grew steadily until I fixed a bug with redirects, which caused a drop in traffic. Google delisted the site for "duplicate content" because it didn't like the review aspect of the site and found issues with the server side rendering (SSR). Despite attempts to fix these issues, Google still considers the pages to be duplicate. I am considering increasing the description of the resources on the site, currently limited to 300 characters, to improve visibility. I am also wondering if the reviews should play a role in this or if there is an issue with the first load viewport.
It’s crucial to address the duplicate content issue before focusing on description length or review sections. While increasing the description might help with visibility, it won’t resolve the core issue of Google perceiving your content as duplicate. Here’s how to approach the problem:
1. Understand Google’s Duplicate Content Perception:
- Server-Side Rendering (SSR): Google may be having trouble indexing your dynamically generated content. SSR can lead to issues if not implemented properly.
- Review Aspect: It’s possible Google is finding the review aspect of your site too similar to other MCAT resource sites, leading to duplicate content flags.
2. Prioritize Solutions:
- Thorough SSR Audit: Carefully review your SSR implementation and ensure it’s generating unique content that is easily crawlable and indexable by Google. Consider using tools like Google Search Console to identify specific pages with indexing issues.
- Unique Content Differentiation: Explore ways to make your reviews truly unique. Focus on in-depth analysis, personal insights, or specific comparisons that set your content apart.
- Structured Data: Implement schema markup to clearly define your content structure (e.g., using Review schema for your review sections). This can help Google understand your content better.
3. Addressing the First Load Viewport:
- Fast Loading Pages: Optimize your site’s loading speed, especially the initial viewport. Google prioritizes fast-loading sites and penalizes slow ones.
- Meaningful Content Above the Fold: Ensure that key, unique content appears within the first visible screen. This can help Google understand the value and relevance of your pages more quickly.
Remember:
- Google Search Console is your friend: Use Google Search Console to monitor site health, identify indexing issues, and receive insights into how Google views your site.
- Patience is key: Fixing duplicate content issues can take time. Stay persistent with your efforts, analyze data, and keep refining your approach.