Duplicate Websites?

[SearchFish]

Hi

I'm currently doing some research for a client, and have noticed that a single competitor is ranking on Google page one for the primary keyword on three almost identical websites.

I'm aware of duplicate content issues - but I'm unsure why these sites haven't been penalised for 'unfair' manipulation of the SERPS - if in fact they are being unfair - or just very clever.

If anyone can offer advice I'd be very grateful.



Thanks in advance
SF

PS - I've asked elsewhere, but no responses to this query so far - hope someone can help

[CaseyC]

I have a competitor that does the same as well. For our industry's primary keyword they are #1, but then they have another site that is a different url, but basically the same as far as content and product line and it will rank between like 5-8. I have researched them hard and both sites have links coming from the same sites...really very little difference between the two aside from the url name and how they rank. I have often wondered too how they keep both sites up there when they are so similar.

[an52]

The reason is that algorithms are not as perfect as we'd like them to be. Perhaps the algo that could eliminate this would also remove legitimate sites?

I would report the sites and then forget about it, because reporting just gives the search engineers something to add to the list of things to consider algorithmically. Unless some serious problem has been created, you won't get a manual review of those sites.

Do you know if the remaining sites that rank lower for that phrase are not optimised, hence three well-optimised copies have to take the top spots? You may need to examine backlinks for all three sites - they might be excellent.

[onlineseo]

Are they identical in terms of design or content ?

If these 3 websites are using separate content, then it wont create any problems with Google.