Will I be flagged for duplicate content by Google?

[EdenPrez]

Hi Moz community,

Had a question regarding duplicate content that I can't seem to find the answer to on Google.

My agency is working on a large number of franchisee websites (over 40) for one client, a print franchise, that wants a refresh of new copy and SEO. Each print shop has their own 'microsite', though all services and products are the same, the only difference being the location. Each microsite has its own unique domain.

To avoid writing the same content over and over in 40+ variations, would all the websites be flagged by Google for duplicate content if we were to use the same base copy, with the only changes being to the store locations (i.e. where we mention Toronto print shop on one site may change to Kelowna print shop on another)? Since the print franchise owns all the domains, I'm wondering if that would be a problem since the sites aren't really competing with one another.

Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again!

[Chris.Menke]

Eden,

You can certainly get away with using the same content on all the sites by canonicalizing all of the to a single main site. That would tell google to count only the content found on the main  site. All pages with the same content on other domains would be rendered non-competitive, which is not the same as a penalty.

However, if you want  each  of the domains to be competitive in their markets, they should have unique content--and we're not talking a few changes here and there in the copy. We're talking real unique copy relevant to each  of their locations. There must be good  reasons the company chose the locations it did. Be creative about those reasons and get them down on paper. It's just part of doing business online.  The company didn't just throw up  a facade at each physical location--they shouldn't do so online either.

And don't forget your Google my business pages for each location.