Links between your own sites: why is this bad?

[miked]

The accepted wisdom on this site and others seems to be that linking between your own sites on the same server is bad: Google sees it as link spam, with no real value.

Why is this the case? I can see the point (guarding against networks of link farms), but surely some linking between sites would be valuable. For instance, a webmaster may have sites on budget cars, cheap petrol and budget car insurance. I'd think it quite legitimate to link between such sites, as there would be a clear benefit to the site visitor.

So I'm interested in your opinions. Is some form of limited interlinking of the type I've described OK, or is interlinking completely verboten?

Mike.

 

[Retired_member41]

Its perfectly fine to have links in the way you have described.

Obviously be sensible, if you feel you are pushing it, then you probably are. If you are using any of the G set of products and running a clean ship, you will never have a problem with Google at least.

 

[khalid]

Its perfectly fine to have links in the way you have described.

Obviously be sensible, if you feel you are pushing it, then you probably are. If you are using any of the G set of products and running a clean ship, you will never have a problem with Google at least.

Caz I disagree, interlinking is not ok especially with sites on the same server.

If the Big G can round up all your sites into one circle it'll be sure to give you a slap.

 

[Retired_member41]

Hi

we will have to agree to disagree, if you run a clean ship and the links are merely form one site to another and vice versa, it wont harm you diddly.

This obviously shouldn't form the only part of your link building startegy

 

[dlone]

Should be all good as long as you don't take the mic with number of sites/links

 

[miked]

Heh. This difference of opinion pretty much sums up the debate I've seen elsewhere.

I don't see why limited linking between related & relevant sites owned by the same person/organisation should be penalised, but whether they should be is different to whether they are...

 

[Edwin]

Interlinking STRONG sites is generally fine, if the links are relevant. By strong, I mean sites that are well-promoted and have plenty of third party backlinks. The more popular the sites, the safer it should be to link them together. While PR is an inexact value at best, all other things being equal it should be safer to link together two PR5 sites than two PR4 sites, two PR6 sites than two PR5 sites, etc. Basically, if each site alone has already been deemed an "authority" by Google, then a few on-topic, relevant interlinks shouldn't cause problems.

 

[jwm]

it will depend in part on the relative numbers of inbound links. If you have hundreds of links to a site and a couple of interlinks then you should be fine. If the interlinks are a large portion of your total links then you are asking for trouble.

 

[fletchbog]

Interesting discussion I have just added links between the sites in my sig as they are all related to the same subject. I could do without being punished by Google as they are not all indexed yet!

 

[jj1]

One of my competitors ranks well for most "quick house sale" search terms and his sites' backlinks mainly consist of a network of "quick house sale" sites on the same server with the same whois info also a few conservatory/patio/building sites links from the same server. Some of those sites have prr1-2 just with his own network of links.

The official Matt Cutts info I've seen is that interlinking is Ok if of value to user (ie relevant) and that a few probably won't trip a flag.

Personally, I have a "designed by" link at the bottom of customers' websites with a link back to may site - and my main website design site has gone up with each site I've added.

Haven't yet though plucked up courage to interlink all customers' sites.

 

[TinkyWinky]

interlinking

Two way, Three way, Four way interlinking between sites owned by the same person, on same IP or same C-Class, is pointless IMO.

No one knows for sure (apart from Matt Cutts and a few inner circle developers) whether it gets you a 'downgrade' an 'ignore all links' or a.n.other type of flag with Google and conditions that gets you any specific flag, so everyone's opinions are either based on what they have read, what they practice or what they observe anecdotally or from hard experience.

In my experience, interlinking is pointless from site a to site b and site b to site a - whether they are related sites or unrelated. You pass link juice to b, and then b passes it back... G sees that and potentially 'ignores' .... simple as.

Edwin makes a good point though that the stronger the site in terms of backlinks - the more likely you will be able to 'interlink' with no penalisation as you have hundreds of bonefide external backlinks. I agree - but still wouldn't do to ensure I don't trip any flags. Some people get away with it - fine - but your business should not be about keeping up with the Jones' if you rely on it for income.

One way links from site a to site b, site a to site c etc. can however be useful in my experience. Also site b could then link on to a site c, d, e, or f et al, but not back to site a. Back to site a and G is likely to be able to connect the dots... very easily...

Should be all good as long as you don't take the mic with number of sites/links

How do you know that and how do you quantify - as PR (TR or whatever you want to call it) is from memory akin to an exponential jump between levels, then how do you know exactly what your site is currently (ie. with the PR update being 4-6 months out of date when it does change) how do you know exact PR on any given date) and what you will be okay doing?

Simple advice, do some legwork and get quality IBL's from other sites - it's really not that difficult but it is time-consuming. This is what sets aside some of the big boys in affiliate marketing and development

Also why even bother interlinking if there is a possibility of a penalty - you may potentially get a good domain flagged, put hours of work down the drain and have to start again all for the sake of a bit of laziness in getting some proper IBL's.

Just my 2p worth
TW

 

[techtimmy]

You're all doing shady domaining stuff, so we're all feeling guilty cos deep down you know we're mostly trying to make a quick buck.

Apart from the domaining i do on the side I also work for a reputable company. We have several website all inside the same industry all interlinked. Most are product catalogue sites for different brands all linked to 1 main site but also linked to each other. They are all hosted on 1 server because it's cheaper.

My point is that Google can't punish that sort of behaviour. It would be wrong to do so and would penalise many many sites for doing pretty much nothing wrong.

Just don't take the piss and i'm sure Google will be fine

 

[RSK3000]

I have to agree with techtimmy on this. Why on earth would G punish basic interlinking between a few sites? Just don't interlink 10s or 100s of sites and you should be fine!