[Author's Addendum, 2024]
This post was originally written over four years ago. Things have changed, most importantly Google's algorithms and Artificial Intelligence.
The core of this article is sound; it was never enough to just change some words around in someone else's article and call it yours. You have to provide a different viewpoint, perspective, alternatives to the original subject matter, update data or provide additional/different proof points to validate the article. The search engines will know the difference, as will the reader.
The one completely new point is using AI to help you write your article. All AI can do is regurgitate what's already out there. It won't come up with new concepts or proposals. It may include things you didn't think of, and that may improve the quality of your article for captive readers, but it won't help you in search. Both Google and readers (even if subconsciously) know if you used AI. See the test results from NP Digital, where AI content clearly does not perform as well as content generated by humans:
[Original Article] How to Fix Syndicated Content for Search
Search Marketers know that having a blog is important to bring searchers to your site. But it’s tough to do. It takes time. What do you write about? How do you create content that people are searching for?
The answer for many small businesses is to sign on with a web marketing company that specializes in your vertical, and along with a website you may get syndicated blog posts on a regular basis. Which can be good for conversions, but doesn’t help you for search. Why?
You’re getting the same content that hundreds of other websites have, word-for-word. It’s not unique or first, so Google likely won't push it up very high in search results. They'll index it, but you'll be in a search toss-up with competitors with only the local search component (proximity, or the distance between you and the person searching) to separate you. It can be good information for viewers already on your website, but it likely won’t bring in fresh, new traffic.
The Solution - Change It!
Hopefully your blog source came up with a good content idea. Verify that they provide you with permissions to make content changes (not all do). Then:
Voila, you have a unique blog post that will have a better chance of pulling in viewers, and it took less effort than writing something from scratch. Give us a shout with questions!