Links from your own sites

[Jamie101]

So, I know that this supposed to be a big no-no when it comes to SEO, but is it okay to do it sometimes?

For example, I own an internet marketing blog and a content writing site, I wouldn't link one to the other to improve the sites rankings (not even thinking about rankings at all for these particular sites), it's more to tell people about my content writting service.

I already mentioned my content related site on my internet marketing blog in one of the articles, but I'm just interested in people's opinions


On another note, I've seen sites that have around 20 backlinks (all from other non related sites that the person owns) and they are ranking really well, makes you wonder :/

 

[Blossom]

It's one of those common myths that gets parroted...

If you're linking a reasonably small number of sites and you do it thoughtfully it's fine. If you set up 300 sites and link them all to each other directly to exploit rankings, it's not going to go down too well unless you know what you're doing (and you're happy to trash sites).

 

[namdas]

They will work fine algorythmically, it is a case of whether they will stand up to a manual review (and whether you ever get one)

If there is a clear reason for a site with the same owner to link to another - for branding etc- then I would say it is absolutely fine. If it is either completely irrelevant or done in bulk then you're in a grey area. You may get away with it indefinitely but you might not.

Look at the bottom of a major branded blog like http://www.popsugar.com/ and you will see that many big networks do it - but of course because they are brands they do get a bit more leeway.

 

[Jamie101]

It's one of those common myths that gets parroted...

If you're linking a reasonably small number of sites and you do it thoughtfully it's fine. If you set up 300 sites and link them all to each other directly to exploit rankings, it's not going to go down too well unless you know what you're doing (and you're happy to trash sites).

Yeah, kind of annoying seeing a site that's ranking for a keyword that's quite competitive when all the backlinks are from the owners own sites. You'd think Google would known better by now

 

[Blossom]

Yeah, kind of annoying seeing a site that's ranking for a keyword that's quite competitive when all the backlinks are from the owners own sites. You'd think Google would known better by now

Different hosts, WHOIS private, and no linking Google services or obvious on-site footprints - how can Google tell?

But to be honest you don't even have to go that far.

I think I read something from Google that was basically along the lines of, 'If you're linking your sites to each other, make it clear what your relationship is'.

 

[Jamie101]

Different hosts, WHOIS private, and no linking Google services or obvious on-site footprints - how can Google tell?

But to be honest you don't even have to go that far.

I think I read something from Google that was basically along the lines of, 'If you're linking your sites to each other, make it clear what your relationship is'.

Good point I suppose, same name servers and same person who registered them doesn't necessarily mean that it's the same owner. However, I know that this person owns all the sites but for Google it might be a lot harder to figure it out unless there was a manual review.

 

[doodlebug]

As far as I can tell it has never effected by rankings but I guess if it was more like 125 sites all on the same server then it would matter.

There could be 1000s of sites all on the same hosts server but Google won't know who owns what ?

 

[murph]

Annoys the hell put of me that there's one rule for brands and another for the rest of us!!

 

[cc976a]

Annoys the hell put of me that there's one rule for brands and another for the rest of us!!

Don't think that's necessarily the case, but their social footprint and authority will negate internal links between sites as an attempt to artificially increase SERPS - but this us how it should be

In response to OP - do do where it's relevant from a visitor or your own marketing, but not to try and increase linkbacks or SEO reasons

 

[Jamie101]

Thanks for all of the replies