Linking between your own websites- yay or nay?
-
Hi Guys
I have 4 different niche websites in the healthcare area and wondering is it a safe strategy to link between them? I'm not sure if this is frowned upon by the search engines.
I have heard the term 'link wheel', but I'm not sure if this is what a link wheel would be.
I do have 2 sites that are much more important than the other 2. One is a directory of practitioners and the other is my main site of my healthcare business. The 2 other websites are smaller niche markets that I also service.
My directory was previously hurt by the Penguin update because I was using Linkvana and blog networks and the anchor text was too specific. I have discontinued using any blog networks or 'quick link' strategies. I'm now implementing a guest posting strategy on reputable websites.
I want to do everything buy the book now and thought I should check before any new linking strategy.
Thanks in advance!
Clinton
-
Thanks Malcolm. That's sound advice.
-
The risk is still there if Google manages to find a connection. You ideally need different C-Block IP hosts as mentioned to link sites together to gain benefit. Although I would avoid the whole 'Blog network' and 'link wheel' idea, don't try and only link your sites together in a wheel. I have seen sites do this - shoot up the rankings brag about it and then never to be seen again.
-
OK. Thanks Francisco. That makes sense. So if these websites are hosted with different hosting companies, I am a little less at risk?
-
C-Blocks are groups of domains with an administrative relationship between them. Linking domains residing on the same C-Block often indicates websites that have the same owner.
-
Thanks Francisco. I'm not sure what a c-block is though. Can you clarify?
-
If they are on the same c-block, then I probably wouldn't link them. Instead I would focus on doing what is best for the user and optimize for conversions. I definitely wouldn't link a non-relative website to another or the Penguin site.
-
OK. That's helpful. Thank you!
-
This could come off as a "Blog Network" to Google and would be frowned upon. Since your Directory was dinged, I wouldn't associate it with your other websites. Personally I had 5 sites myself that were all in a "General" niche but a little different and all linking up with each other. They did not get penalized or anything but as soon as those updates rolled out I removed their linking structure. Better to be safe than sorry!
Got a burning SEO question?
Subscribe to Moz Pro to gain full access to Q&A, answer questions, and ask your own.
Browse Questions
Explore more categories
-
Moz Tools
Chat with the community about the Moz tools.
-
SEO Tactics
Discuss the SEO process with fellow marketers
-
Community
Discuss industry events, jobs, and news!
-
Digital Marketing
Chat about tactics outside of SEO
-
Research & Trends
Dive into research and trends in the search industry.
-
Support
Connect on product support and feature requests.
Related Questions
-
Is there a good website builder that can gain links?
I made the horrible mistake of using GoDaddy website builder and just found out that I have 3 homepages with a 302 temporary redirect on one of them. GoDaddy says I have only one homepage and no redirects which is not true as far as both Google Webmaster and Mozpro are concerned. I am not able to change anything structurally on the Godaddy site. Is there an economical alternative to having a website built that I can work with myself (with little knowledge) and that I can do some link building that will be effective. Thank you, I will refrain from commenting on GoDaddy Scott
Link Building | | ScottR.0 -
Why did the external followed links from B2B Websites are not tracked by Opensiteexplorer
Hi I have listed my products in B2B Websites(more than 10) with the link pointed towards my website, but those links are not tracked by Opensiteexplorer . I have got a link from wikepedia but that link is also not tracked by opensiteexplorer Could I know the reason.
Link Building | | jeevarajan0 -
Root Domain Link for Affiliate's Link
It seems my affiliate link: http://www.hrmsplugins.com?partners=21 is not being considered as a "root domain" backlink when this link is used on their website. Is there a reason for this?
Link Building | | delphia0 -
Link or Ad
I recently requested a link back from a site that is ranking 2nd for a term that i'm working on and they said they would gladly give me the link and remove my competitors but would also like me to have an ad on the same page for an annual fee that i could link to a landing page. I know that paying for links is no good and google can penalize you. so do i pay them and do a no follow to the landing page from the ad and call it a day? and how does google differentiate an ad from a link?
Link Building | | CHiP_RuN0 -
Link Targets
What do you think of getting links from... high quality sites, with many non spammy high trusted links to them....but their traffic has been majorly hit by panda. I suspect perhaps for having too many thin pages. Is persuing links on these sites a good idea or not? I'd welcome opinions.
Link Building | | PeterM220 -
Link to those that link to you? Worthwhile?
We have thousands and thousands of sites that link to a domain we are working on, many with low page authority and high domain (bloggers, forum posts, etc). Has anyone experimented with linking to the pages that link to you (not from your site) but from other means in an effort to boost their quality? I'm not sure what method we would use, maybe some relevant blog comments or social votes. But curious if this could be an effective method.
Link Building | | iAnalyst.com0 -
Link Churn - where have all my links gone?
I am sure most of you have asked yourself the question I'm asking right now.. Where have all my links gone? I am starting to get twitchy now. I would estimate we have lost around 60% of our links in the past 3 weeks. Does anyone have any comeback stories? Feel like I am back to the start again. I have made a number of changes on the site not least removing a reciprical link page.. that had over 200 links on it but from reading one of Rand's tweets is it true that linking out could be good again?
Link Building | | robertrRSwalters0