"Hello everyone,\n\nI have a situation I'd like to discuss with you all. I have a client with two websites featuring mostly identical content and structure. I understand that search engines like Google tend to penalize websites with duplicate content, as it makes it difficult for them to determine which site is most relevant or authoritative. I am considering using canonical tags to specify the preferred version of the content, but I am unsure if this will be effective across different domains. I would appreciate your thoughts on this matter. My current recommendation to the client is to ensure that the content on both sites is unique and different, as they offer the same apps, services, and overall message."
Canonical tags are generally effective in telling search engines which version of a page is preferred, even across different domains. However, there are some caveats to consider. If the websites have the same content but different design or user experience, Google might still consider them duplicate. It’s important to remember that search engines are constantly evolving their algorithms, so there’s no guarantee that canonical tags will always work as intended. In your situation, the best approach is to consult with the client to determine the intended purpose of each website and ensure that their content truly serves different audiences. If the content truly is largely the same, it might be more strategic to consolidate the two websites into one, making sure the website is optimized for search engines. This way, you can avoid potential penalties for duplicate content and ensure that your client’s website is effectively reaching its target audience.