Plagiarism is a serious concern for anyone who submits content online. Many tools have emerged to help internet users develop unique content and check for copied content. This service has proven very valuable for individuals and companies who purchase content online. Copyscape is another example of this type of application. The system works a few different ways. The user can submit a URL to a website and check for duplicate content elsewhere on the internet. Another option allows users to paste content into text field. Copyscape will perform a similar search using the content entered. Users can also find banners offered by Copyscape that are intended to warn off potential plagiarists. The application provides helpful resources to assist users when dealing with this common issue. A community has also built up around the application through the Copyscape forums. Through the forums, users can post specific scenarios, situations or questions to get answers about ethics, legal issues and how to make the most out of their Copyscape account.

Copyscape was created to give users a better way to monitor their content and avoid purchasing plagiarized content online. The application was launched in 2004, the result of the efforts of Stream Technologies Ltd and Gideon Greenspan. The application was founded a year prior to being officially launched.

Copyscape is often considered the main resource for performing plagiarism checks. It offers two convenient ways to search for copied content. It is also relatively inexpensive and provides users with a wealth of information and resources about dealing with plagiarism, including a forum.

Copyscape uses a very simple design that focuses on functionality. This works exceptionally well considering the application’s purpose. A new user is greeted with a white background and dark blue Copyscape logo at the top of the homepage. Links and a URL search tool are presented so users can access all of the necessary tools to get started as soon as they arrive on the site.

As soon as a visitor arrives on the Copyscape homepage, they can perform a URL search. In order to purchase text searches and access all available features, the user will have to create an account. This can be done by clicking on one of the links at the bottom of the page, which include “Premium” and “Copysentry.” Clicking the red “Sign Up” link on the following page will take the user to the registration form. The form is nice and short, requiring only a username, email address and password.

One of the nice things about Copyscape is the price. Premium users only pay for what they need, on a search by search basis. The user purchases a quantity of credit. Each search performed costs around five cents, so a single dollar will get the user a number of searches. Copysentry comes in two different membership types. The first is a Standard membership which checks the user’s webpages weekly. The rate costs around $5 per month for up to 10 pages plus an additional 25 cents per additional page included in the check. Copysentry Professional checks webpages daily and includes expert tech support. This membership costs around $20 per month for up to 10 webpages plus an additional dollar for every extra page.

Anyone dealing with content online can really appreciate Copyscape. The site allows users to monitor their content for plagiarism on a daily or weekly basis. The application also gives the user the ability to perform a manual search using a URL or copy and pasted content. There are numerous uses for an application like this, especially considering how affordable it is.

• Search for duplicate content using a URL
• Copy and paste content for a specific text search
• Set up a Copysentry account to monitor your website for plagiarism
• Participate in the Copyscape community through its forum
• Access information about plagiarism as well as website warning banners

Copyscape video

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