Hubs Not Displaying in Google Search After Previously Being First Page

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   Gail Meyersposted 11 years ago

   I have a set of related hubs that are no longer showing up in Google search results, at all.  What is showing up is multiple blogs and sites that have copies my hubs.  It appears they did give credit, even if in some cases it is a small link at the very bottom of a very long post (which consists solely of a cut and paste of my hubs).  Some copies excerpts, but some copies the entire hubs, ads, comments...everything!  They are blogs related to the topic.  Is this related to my hubs no longer showing up in search results?  These hubs are all in good standing and featured.  What is the issue?

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2. 86

   Marisa Wrightposted 11 years ago

   Yes, it could well be related.
   
   When Google sees multiple copies of an article online, it tries to decide which version is the most reputable and downgrades the rest.  In theory, they should pick the original and downgrade the others - but if the copiers have been clever about promoting their versions, they can outrank yours. 
   
   If someone has copied a short excerpt, then that's fine - but you should go after those who have copied large excerpt, or the whole Hub.

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      Simone Smithposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Agreed.

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         Gail Meyersposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         There are mostly just excerpts copied on various blogs.  However, It looks like one blog copied 4 or 5 hubs from top to bottom, including the ads and comments.  They are all on the same topic, which is also the topic of the blog.  The blog does not even have ads.  So I think it may be a blogger who just does not realize the potential consequences and is just trying to share the information.  That being the case, I really hate to report it.  I send a message explaining the situation, suggested using small excerpts and links, as well as explained the potential consequences to the original author when something is copied in that manner, as well as potential consequences to the blog for repeated violations.  Hopefully, that will do it and I will not have to file a complaint against what appears to be a well meaning blog author.

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         1. 63

            Gail Meyersposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            Thank you for your assistance and responses!

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            Marisa Wrightposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            You are too kind-hearted, Gail!   The offending blog may be doing it innocently, but it's more likely someone who is following a "get rich quick" scheme.  It's common practice for them to delay showing ads until the blog gets a bit of traffic.
            
            If I think they may be genuine, I usually write something like this:
            
            "Your blog post ...... is an exact copy of my article here .......
            
            You may not be aware that all articles on HubPages are copyright and it is illegal to reproduce them without permission,  If you wish to keep the article, you may do so by paying my usual re-use fee of $100, payable via Paypal.  Otherwise, I would appreciate its removal as soon as possible. 
            
            Please note that if you fail to respond to this email, I will be obliged to report this breach to ..... "(Adsense if they've got ads, or Blogger if it's a Blogger blog, or Google, or their host).
            
            I've actually sold a couple of articles this way!
            
            Don't leave it too long before escalating to the next action.

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