Are links from inside duplicate content on a 3rd party site pointing back to you worthwhile.

[Sam-P]

In our niche there are lots of specialist 'profile / portfolio' sites were we can upload content (usually project case studies. These are often quite big and active networks and can drive decent traffic and provide links from high ranking pages.

The issue im a bit stuck on is - because they are profile / portfolio based usually its the same content uploaded to each site. But im beginning to get the feeling that these links from within duplicate content although from high ranking sites are not having an effect.

Im about to embark on a campaign to re rewrite each of our portfolio items (each one c. 400 words c. 10 times) for each different site, but before i do i wandered if any one has had any experience / a point of view on with wether Google is not valuing links from within duplicate content (bare in mind these arnt spam sites, and are very reputable, mainly because once you submit the content it gets reviewed prior to going live). And wether a unique rewrite of the content solves this issue.

[Sam-P]

Thanks Andy,

This is very interesting, regarding editorial earned content vs self posted content, its self posted content although its vetted by moderators prior to going live so its not an 'article submission site'. The majority of the sites range for pr7-4 and its not uncommon for the actual article or profile pages to have a pr2.

Regarding finding additional link opportunities, this is only a small part of our outreach and along side this we have lots of earned editorial on our projects, although that too is often re used content as we are in fortunate position that our content is often very well received, often republished 100's of times due to a mixture of outreach and from there it going viral within the niche, which makes it hard to scale to every piece of content being unique.

Is it the consensus that Google can evaluate wether a site is purely editorial or user submitted content ?

[Andy.Drinkwater]

...im beginning to get the feeling that these links from within duplicate content although from high ranking sites are not having an effect

You are probably quite right. It doesn't sound like editorial content and the fact it is duplicated over a number of sites, only lessens any benefits you might be getting.

Without knowing what the sites are, it's difficult to give you a true judgement on what (if anything) they are doing or have the capability of doing, even after a re-written profile.

I would be looking for additional opportunities where linkbuilding is concerned. Don't put all your eggs in one basket, springs to mind - or even 10 baskets!

Look at the links that are coming back. They are from within content that you have written and not really something that was 'gained'. How are your competitors gaining links?

-Andy