A simple guide to understanding duplicate content and why original content is crucial for SEO success
Have you ever wondered why some websites rank higher on Google than others? Or maybe you’ve thought about taking a shortcut by copying great content from other websites and posting it on your own site?
If you’re new to website ownership or digital marketing, it’s completely natural to think this might work. After all, if the content is already proven to be good, why not use it?
Unfortunately, this approach can actually hurt your website’s chances of being found online. But don’t worry – we’re going to explain exactly why this happens and show you much better alternatives that will actually help your website succeed.
Whether you’re 12 years old building your first website or you’re an adult managing a business site, the principles are the same. Let’s break it down in simple terms that anyone can understand.
Why Copy/Pasting Doesn’t Work
Imagine you’re in school and you copy someone else’s homework word-for-word. What happens? The teacher notices because they’ve seen that exact work before! Search engines like Google work the same way – they’re like super-smart teachers who have read millions of websites.
When Google finds the exact same article on multiple websites, it thinks “I’ve already seen this before” and only shows the original version in search results. Your copied version gets ignored, which means people won’t find your website when they search for things.
What About Citing the Source?
Even if you say “I got this from Website ABC,” it’s still like turning in someone else’s homework with their name on it. Google still won’t show your version because the original website already has that content. Plus, you’re actually sending your visitors away to the other website when you cite them!
Copy/Paste vs. Original Content: The Real Comparison
| Aspect | Copy/Pasting Content | Writing Your Own Content |
|---|---|---|
| Time Required | ✅ Super fast and easy | ❌ Takes much longer to write |
| Google Rankings | ❌ Google ignores duplicate content | ✅ Google loves unique content and ranks it higher |
| Writing Skills | ✅ No writing skills needed | ❌ Requires writing skills and practice |
| Website Uniqueness | ❌ Looks exactly like everyone else’s | ✅ Your website becomes unique and personal |
| Visitor Trust | ❌ Audience won’t trust you as much | ✅ You build trust with your audience |
| Legal Issues | ❌ Could get in trouble for copyright | ✅ You own the content completely |
| Expertise Building | ❌ Don’t build any authority | ✅ People see you as an expert |
| Content Quality | ✅ Professional-looking content instantly | ❌ Might make mistakes while learning |
| Visitor Behavior | ❌ Visitors might leave for original source | ✅ Visitors stay on YOUR website longer |
| Link Building | ❌ Other sites won’t link to copied content | ✅ More likely to get shared and linked |
| Learning | ✅ Can help you learn about topics | ❌ Need to research topics yourself |
| Content Ideas | ✅ Fills up your website quickly | ❌ Can be hard to come up with ideas |
Why Rewriting Works Better
Instead of copying, try rewriting the article in your own words – like explaining the same story but the way YOU would tell it. This is much better because Google sees it as new, unique content, you can add your own thoughts and experiences, people get to hear YOUR voice and perspective, and your website becomes more interesting and personal.
Sharing Your Own Views is Even Better
The best approach is adding your own opinions, experiences, or examples. Maybe you read an article about “How to Train Dogs” and you rewrite it but add stories about training your own dog, or tips you learned that the original article didn’t mention. Now you’ve created something new and valuable!
The Bottom Line
Think of your website like your own TV show. People want to hear what YOU have to say, not watch you play reruns of someone else’s show. When you share your own thoughts and rewrite things in your own style, you build an audience who comes specifically to hear from you – and that’s when your website really starts to grow!
Ready to Create Content That Actually Works?
Creating unique, engaging content that Google loves isn’t always easy – especially when you’re running a business and have a million other things to worry about. That’s where we come in.
At Click Results, we’ve helped businesses across South Africa – from medical practices and financial advisors to legal firms, electronics retailers, and eCommerce stores – create compelling, original content that not only ranks well on Google but actually converts visitors into customers.
Our SEO and content marketing packages take the guesswork out of digital marketing. We research your industry, understand your audience, and create content strategies that establish you as the go-to expert in your field. No more wondering what to write about or whether your content will work – we handle it all so you can focus on what you do best: running your business.
Ready to stop struggling with content creation and start seeing real results?
Get started with a free consultation today →
Let’s build a content strategy that makes your website the one everyone talks about in your industry.
