Duplicate content in posts published by Google Business Profiles is now considered spam, according to an updated content policy document.
Google has added a line to its business profile post content policy, under a section that warns users to avoid spam.
To the list of things users should avoid posting in their business profiles, Google added the following line:
- Duplicate photos, posts, videos and logos
This update was spotted by Colan Nielsen, who shared his findings on Twitter:
Google just updated their Help Center article on Google Posts to point out more of what they consider to be spam. “Duplicate photos, posts, videos and logos”https://t.co/gi0w7v2GM6
— Colan Nielsen (@ColanNielsen) August 5, 2022
It’s important to understand what this change means for your content policy so you don’t find yourself violating the updated policy.
No duplicate content in Google posts
With this updated content policy, Google is sending a clear message that it wants businesses to publish unique content.
Posting identical photos, videos or blocks of text is not allowed.
If you’re not careful, you could be breaking Google’s new rules even if you’re not trying to spam.
Let’s say you run a Google Business Profile for a restaurant and post the same image every week to promote your specials. According to Google’s new guidelines, this is an honest use of duplicate content that could get you in trouble.
Also, it sounds like Google wants businesses to limit their use of the logo. For example, putting a logo on every photo could get you in trouble.
The best way to comply with the new guidelines is to ensure that each post on your Google Business Profile is unique.
If you do this and avoid putting your logo on every photo and video, you should be perfectly fine.
resource: Google
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