What is a Mirror Site?
A mirror site is essentially a duplicate (two or more) of an original website but on a different domain or server. These have the same content, look and functionality and are typically used to provide an alternative access point to that site’s content.
The only real difference that distinguishes the two is the URL.
Why Use a Mirror Site?
Mirror sites are used for a number of reasons:
- They are often used to enhance website reliability and performance. For example, if the main site experiences heavy traffic, users can still access the mirrored version, ensuring that they have uninterrupted access to information or services.
- Mirror sites can also help improve load times for users in different locations. By hosting a mirror site closer to the user, data can be delivered more quickly, enhancing the overall user experience.
- Mirror sites act as backups. If the primary site goes down due to maintenance or unexpected issues, users can still reach the mirrored site, reducing downtime.
Note: While mirror sites can be beneficial, it’s essential to manage them properly. Search engines may penalise duplicate content, so it’s crucial to ensure that the main site is the primary focus for indexing.
Are Mirror Sites Illegal?
No, mirror sites are not illegal, if they are used for the right purposes. A website, its code, design and content are all protected by copyright law and can be duplicated with permission by the website’s owner. However, if no permission is given, then it is illegal.
