Is there software or a website that allows you to check for duplicate content without having to publish it to the web? I know about copyscape, but in order to check it I have to publish it first. Thanks
Well if you are looking for a free tool that is easy to use try copying a couple of lines of content from the article then search google "copiedtext" That will soon tell you how many other articles have this same content in. its worked for me so far.
What do you mean publish it? You don't have to publish your content to use copyscape. You just copy / paste the content into copyscape. I think it costs a dime or so to use it.
It would not make sense for copyscape to check your content AFTER its been published to the web. They will check it for 5 cents a copy.
There are free checkers online. I use http://www.affiliatearticlewriters.com/article-phrase-comparison-tool/. If it's more than 50% the same, it could be deemed duplicate content.