Duplicate content is a common occurrence on the web and in many cases can hurt search engine rankings. While the search engines may not always technically penalize webmasters for duplicate content, there are still a lot of ways it can hurt.

WebProNews is covering the Search Marketing Expo (SMX) East in New York, where representatives from the three major search engines (Google, Yahoo, and Bing) discussed how their respective web properties handle duplicate content issues. Following are some takeaways from each.

There was an interesting session on online video at Search Marketing Expo (SMX) East, which WebProNews attended. The session was called "Video Search Marketing Beyond YouTube". The following tips come from a combination of presentations from that session from speakers: William Leake of Apogee Search, John McWeeny of TurnHere, and Eric Papczun of Performics.

Bidding on keywords that are related to brands that are trademarked is a legally murky issue when it comes to infringement.

(Coverage of the SMX Eastconference will continue at WebProNews Videos.  Keep an eye on WebProNews for more notes and videos from the event this week.)

At Search Marketing Expo East in New York, where WebProNews is on location, Michael Martin of Internet Marketing Inc. delivered a presentation about the growing Android market. He spoke about how Android is becoming an increasingly important mobile platform for marketers to keep in mind. In other words, it’s not just about the iPhone.

Google and Bing employees know tons of useful stuff about search engines, and many people find their tips useful.  But let’s admit: a lot of SEO experts have seen the same pieces of advice repeated at conference after conference for years, and so at SMX East, two speakers went a little bit off the beaten path into the subjects of speed and security.

In the session "Tools, Glorious Tools" the speakers discussed different tools to consider for search marketing.

(Coverage of the SMX East conference will continue at WebProNews Videos.  Keep an eye on WebProNews for more notes and videos from the event this week.)

Google’s big and getting bigger, as firms like comScore and Hitwise can confirm.  Then there’s its pending deal with Yahoo to consider.  So a session at SMX East addressed the question of whether Google is a monopoly, and what can and should be done about the issue.

Since most relevant recommendations are presented as and relate to standard English words, it’s not too hard to understand most of the SEO basics.  But stuff relating to CSS and Ajax can get a little confusing, so a session at SMX East tried to focus on a few tips and tricks.

At the session "Reviving A Failed PPC Campaign" the speakers discussed how to turn around a failed paid search campaign.

(Coverage of the SMX East conference will continue at WebProNews Videos.  Keep an eye on WebProNews for more notes and videos from the event this week.)

Politics have penetrated pretty much every aspect of our lives, from water cooler conversations to car commercials.  A session at SMX East continued the trend, then, by exploring the ties between "Search & The US Presidential Campaign."

At todays keynote Tim Armstrong, President, Advertising and Commerce, North America, & Vice President – Google, spoke to Danny Sullivan about a variety of topics.

(Coverage of the SMX East conference will continue at WebProNews Videos.  Keep an eye on WebProNews for more notes and videos from the event this week.)

Search is important in the business world, keeping companies like Google and Yahoo afloat and causing others to revise their sites in every way imaginable.  Search often indicates what society as a whole is up to, as well, and Bill Tancer explored this trait at SMX East.

In the session "Search and Branding", Noah Elkin, VP of Corporate Strategy, Steak spoke about why brands matter in search.

Coverage of the SMX East conference will continue at WebProNews Videos.  Keep an eye on WebProNews for more notes and videos from the event this week.)

Next up on the search engine trade show circuit is SMX East. It will be in New York City, and will run from October 6th to October 8th. The agenda looks strong, and the attendance and networking opportunities should be great. Two keynotes will be given.

One of the questions I get asked frequently is “which search conferences should I attend”. Seeing as conferences end up costing you between $3500-$5000 a pop when you include travel, lodging and meals I thought I’d share my experience.