Does Duplicate Manufacturer Product Descriptions Hurt SEO

Author: Emulent Team Insights: Content Strategy Updated: August 6, 2024 Reading Time: 7 min

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In today’s digital age, the visibility of an online business is largely contingent on its Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategies. For e-commerce platforms, in particular, where hundreds or even thousands of product listings populate the website, ensuring each page is optimized for search engines becomes a mammoth task. One frequently debated shortcut is the utilization of manufacturer-provided product descriptions. It seems like a win-win: these descriptions are accurate, detailed, and readily available. But does this convenience come at a cost?

As many online retailers grapple with the balance of efficiency versus uniqueness, a pressing question emerges: Does leveraging these duplicate product descriptions harm your site’s SEO performance? It’s a question of risk and reward, balancing operational efficiency with search engines’ ever-evolving algorithms.

TLDR: It probably won’t hurt, but it won’t really help either, since the content block will most likely be filtered out by Google. So, if thats the only content that you are adding to your product page, don’t expect it to do well in the rankings. Think of manufacturers content as table stakes, it is more about adding to the overall experience, than using it to rank. – Bill Ross, Emulent Founder

Understanding Duplicate Content

At its core, duplicate content refers to substantive blocks of content within or across domains that completely match other content or are appreciably similar. Before delving into the SEO implications of using manufacturer-provided product descriptions, let’s establish a foundational understanding of this phenomenon.

1. Definition of Duplicate Content

  • Exact Duplicates: This refers to content that is an exact match, word for word, across different pages or domains.
  • Near Duplicates: This content is very similar but not an exact match. An example could be a product description with a few words changed here and there.

2. How Search Engines View Duplicate Content

Search engines, primarily Google, aim to provide the best user experience. This translates to delivering diverse search results. Therefore, showing multiple sites with the same content isn’t ideal. Here are some figures and facts to underline this:

  • According to a study by Raven Tools, almost 29% of websites face duplicate content issues.
  • Per their Webmaster Guidelines, Google’s algorithm is designed to provide the best search results, which means filtering out sites with duplicate content. However, it’s worth noting that Google doesn’t impose a “penalty” for duplicate content but rather filters similar content.

3. The Myth and Reality Surrounding Penalties for Duplicate Content

There’s a common misconception that sites with duplicate content are penalized. However, the situation is more nuanced.

Myth: Google penalizes all forms of duplicate content.
Reality: Google doesn’t have a duplicate content penalty, but duplicate content can still impact search rankings. What happens is that search engines choose one version of the content to show in search results, potentially decreasing visibility for duplicate versions. It’s a filter, not a penalty.

Myth: All forms of duplicate content are bad for SEO.
Reality: Certain types of duplicate content are normal, like product descriptions across different color variants of a product or printer-only versions of web pages. Search engines have evolved to handle such scenarios without harming your SEO.

Myth: Using manufacturer descriptions will always harm your site’s SEO.
Reality: While unique content offers a competitive edge, simply using manufacturer descriptions won’t “penalize” your site. However, your content’s visibility might be affected if multiple competitors use the same descriptions(without any other content on the page).

Understanding the distinction between these myths and realities is crucial. While duplicate content isn’t “penalized” in the strictest sense, its implications on SEO can’t be denied. Sites with unique, value-driven content are more likely to stand out in search engine results, driving traffic and conversions.

The SEO Impact of Manufacturer-Provided Descriptions

Using manufacturer-provided descriptions can seem like an appealing solution for e-commerce websites. After all, these descriptions are accurate and detailed and can save businesses a lot of time and effort. But what is the trade-off when it comes to search engine performance?

1. Benefits of Manufacturer-Provided Descriptions

  • Saves Time and Resources: E-commerce businesses, especially those with expansive inventories, can save considerable time by using ready-made descriptions. Per a Content Marketing Institute survey, 69% of marketers reported that lack of time was their most significant challenge. Using manufacturer descriptions can alleviate this problem to some extent.
  • Ensures Product Accuracy: Manufacturer descriptions guarantee that the product details are accurate. This can reduce the risk of returns or customer dissatisfaction due to misrepresentation.

2. Drawbacks of Using Manufacturer-Provided Descriptions

  • Potential for Decreased Page Uniqueness: The same description on multiple websites means less uniqueness for search engines to index. A study from SEMrush found that over 50% of e-commerce websites had issues with duplicate content, which impacted their SEO visibility.
  • Diminished Page Rank Due to Lack of Differentiation: If multiple online stores use identical product descriptions, search engines will face the dilemma of determining which site to rank higher. As a result, all competing sites might suffer in rankings. Ahrefs reported that only about 12.3% of all websites get traffic from Google, underlining the fierce competition for top spots.
  • May Not Be Tailored to Target Audience or User Search Intent: Manufacturer descriptions are usually technical and generic. They might not answer specific questions or cater to users’ unique search intent. According to a HubSpot study, 51% of shoppers are likelier to purchase from a site that provides content tailored to their needs.

While manufacturer-provided descriptions have merits, relying solely on them may not be the best SEO strategy. Differentiation is crucial in the vast world of online retail. Combining the efficiency of using provided descriptions with tactics to boost uniqueness can strike the right balance.

Every product page is both an experience in itself, as well as part of a larger product experience for the user. – Bill Ross, Founder Emulent

Strategies to Offset Potential Negative SEO Effects

While manufacturer descriptions offer accuracy and ease, there are clear concerns about their influence on SEO. But fret not, as there are several strategies businesses can deploy to counteract the potential drawbacks of using duplicated content. Here’s a deep dive into these strategies:

1. Customizing Product Descriptions

A Case for Originality: While copying and pasting is easier, crafting unique product descriptions can significantly enhance SEO performance. A survey from Moz revealed that over 30% of surveyed SEO professionals identify duplicate content as a critical issue affecting search engine rankings.

  • Tips for Effective Product Description Customization:
    • Focus on the product’s unique selling proposition.
    • Incorporate high-volume and relevant keywords naturally.
    • Tailor the content to appeal to your target audience.

2. Enhancing Content with User Reviews

The Power of User-Generated Content (UGC): UGC can act as a buffer against duplicate content by providing fresh and unique product insights. According to a study by TurnTo Networks, 90% of consumers say user-generated content holds more influence over their buying decisions than promotional emails and even search engine results.

  • Leveraging UGC:
    • Encourage customers to leave detailed reviews.
    • Use incentives like discounts or loyalty points to prompt more reviews.
    • Incorporate a review rating system for increased interactivity.

3. Diversifying Page Content

Beyond Descriptions: Expanding the range of content types on product pages can mitigate the effects of duplicate descriptions.

  • Videos: According to Unbounce, incorporating product videos can increase conversion rates by up to 80%. Demonstrations or testimonials can provide unique value.
  • FAQs: Integrating a frequently asked questions section addresses common user queries, adding a layer of unique content.
  • Infographics: Visually appealing and informative graphics can break down product features and benefits, making your page more engaging and differentiated.
  • Additional Features: Highlight any unique or standout features of a product.
  • Unique Photos: High-quality images from multiple angles.
  • 360-degree Views: Allow users a complete visual understanding of the product.
  • User Manuals: Offer downloadable guides or manuals for products when relevant.
  • Installation Videos: Especially useful for products that require assembly or setup.
  • Holistic View: Add sections to the page that showcase how the product fits into the overall experience and other products needed for installation or, in the case of a home DIY project, finish the room design.

4. Internal Linking Optimization

The Network Effect: Smart internal linking can enhance user experience and distribute page authority, leading to better SEO outcomes. A case study from NinjaOutreach witnessed a 40% boost in organic traffic within four months, primarily attributed to a revamped internal linking strategy.

  • Effective Strategies:
    • Use anchor texts that are descriptive but not overly keyword-stuffed.
    • Link to related products, articles, or blog posts to provide a holistic user experience.
    • Keep the user journey in mind, ensuring that links flow logically and enhance the user’s browsing experience.

6. Page Layout and Experience

Big Box Store Strategy: Notable e-commerce giants often place manufacturer descriptions below the fold, prioritizing unique and valuable content at the top. This ensures users first interact with distinctive content, enhancing user experience and SEO.

  • Ensuring an intuitive, user-friendly website navigation can significantly reduce bounce rates and increase time on site, both of which can positively impact SEO.
  • A slow-loading page can hamper user experience and hurt search rankings. Ensuring optimized images, streamlined code, and reliable hosting can drastically improve page load times.
  • With a significant portion of users shopping on mobile, ensuring product pages are mobile-responsive is crucial. Google’s mobile-first indexing approach further underscores its importance for SEO.

The challenges posed by duplicate content from manufacturer descriptions aren’t insurmountable. By leveraging the abovementioned strategies, e-commerce businesses can effectively navigate the SEO landscape, ensuring their pages remain competitive and provide value to their audiences. In the evolving world of SEO, adaptation and strategic innovation are key.

Conclusion

In summary, while manufacturer descriptions can serve as a valuable foundation, the added layers of customization, creativity, and strategic SEO practices truly set an e-commerce platform apart in the crowded online marketplace. As always, adaptability, continuous learning, and understanding your audience are pivotal to success in digital marketing.