Quick answer
Write distinct descriptions for standalone indexable pages when their subjects differ. Leave intentional variants alone when canonical and indexing signals clearly express the site’s policy.
What the issue means
Duplicate descriptions are identical or shared description metadata across multiple URLs. They may come from a default template, copied CMS field, or deliberate variant handling. The description is optional metadata and is not guaranteed to appear verbatim in search.
Why it matters for SEO
Distinct descriptions can give users more useful context when several pages from a site appear together. Duplicate descriptions are usually a quality and clarity issue rather than proof of a ranking penalty.
How NOTABIS detects it
The duplicate-description rule groups shared description values and explains which URLs require unique snippets versus intentional canonical, redirect, search, filter, and non-indexable variants. It is a low-severity page-scoped finding.
How to check it yourself
Collect the rendered description, URL, status, canonical, robots directives, and page purpose for each group. Confirm whether the pages are intended to be indexable standalone documents.
How to fix it
Replace boilerplate with accurate summaries tied to each page’s subject. Fix the template or data source causing unwanted reuse, then re-crawl representative URLs and confirm the duplicate group has changed as intended.
When it may be intentional
Shared descriptions may be acceptable for redirects, noindex routes, search/filter variants, or pages intentionally consolidated by canonicalisation. Do not invent unique marketing copy for private pages just to remove an informational signal.
Related issues
Review missing descriptions, multiple description tags, and canonical/noindex signals.
Run a NOTABIS audit
Use the duplicate group evidence to decide which URLs need editing and which should retain their intentional signals.