Sitewide links
-
Hi there,
We operate about a dozen websites that are part of the same parent company. All these websites are in the same vertical, and link among each other in the footer section. The anchor for each link is the brand name, so we are merely doing it to show what other products the parent company has to offer. My question is: do you think this is still advisable, or it might trigger a penalty? Also, what would you choose between:
- Sitewide footer links from each site to the other sites.
- A single footer link on the homepage from each site to the other sites.
- A presentation page on each website, one click away from the homepage, which presents the company's other websites.
Thanks.
-
Hi,
Based on the info you've given, I would definitely go for your option 3.
Having links in the footer of the site is never a good idea as it multiplies the number of links by as many pages you have on the site. If you think it makes sense to have a page presenting the other websites then that sounds great and only means one external link to each site; sounds like you could create some nice content on this page too!
Hope that helps
-
Hi,
I'd like to say, if it makes sense to have link there, I would use that link. Thats allway the first thing I think about when I link externally. In that case, I am not thinking "I need that link" so I would. In that case I dont have problems to chose rel="nofollow".
Special in sitewide footer links I would use nofollow and you should (excepted alternate language sites or something like that). It was John Muller who told Web Design Agencys wich are linking sitewide in footer (with brand name) that they should think about using nofollow (round about april this 2015). Guess thats not really the same thing here, if its the same company.For the 3 cases - what makes the most sense? Does a link in the footer on the hompage makes sense? Is it better for any human being to have these links sitewide? Makes it more sense to have a single page?
I have different clients with all 3 types, all without penalty (in sitewide links cases, the links are rel="nofollow" and the sites are the same company). I think you can use follow, but why take a risk.I often cite Cyrus Shepard in that sitewide-footer case and I agree 100% with him, so I cite again: "Don't link externally in the footer. Just don't. I'm not going to go into the reasons. Just don't do that."
https://mza.bundledseo.com/blog/the-rules-of-link-building-whiteboard-friday
-
I can't see this triggering a penalty. It will not hold the same weight as a link from a site that doesn't have anything directly to do with your company or a link directly in the content showing context
I would suggest sitewide footer links from each site to the other sites. The footer isn't the main draw of the eye but generally includes company info so if a users is looking for more info they will check there.
- Sitewide footer links from each site to the other sites.
-
It is a difficult question to answer - as one would need intimate knowledge of the business to advise properly. Specifically what is the value proposition and how for each website it is driven online?.
That said given they are all in the same vertical are they also in the same market place? ie all websites selling to the same country? Are they cross-selling to each other? If they are have you given consideration to a plan to fold the websites into one? It sounds like resources are spread thin, if managing a dozen websites. What is the original purpose of the dozen websites - is it still current today.
On the question about actual links, it should look natural. If it is set up and looks like a PBN - which it sort of sounds like I would be making it natural. Only put links where it assists and facilitates and answer to a customer query. I would primarily be concerned if it could be interpreted as a link swapping/trading exercise. A slightly deeper analysis should give you some resolution. All that said if it looks natural, and you have not had any penalties to date no action required!
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
-
Links from my Own Blog to my Own Website and Link Scheme
Hi There, I use my own blog to give advices and offer information related to my business service. Of course in terms of SEO my blog is useful not only to expand my brand presence but also to acquire long-tail traffic. I use to insert a maximum of one link with a relative matching anchor text in every article of my blog pointing to my own webpage. Said that, the questions are as follows: Am I involuntarily participating in a Link Scheme with my blog? And If so, how many links can I send to my own webpage ? Shall I limit the number of links to a minimum? Thanks a lot for your advices.
Link Building | | Midleton0 -
Link text
Can anyone give me any advise regarding anchor text in back links on external sites. I have about 8 bloggers reviewing our products on their sites. When they link to our site, they either use the words of our company name or something like “click here” as the words in the link. There are a few key words that we are wanting to improve for so should those words be made as the live link on their site?
Link Building | | Hardley1110 -
No Follow Links
On my campaign report from SEOmoz I have noticed that all my 3 competitors have 99% followed links versus 1% no-followed links. Should I do the same? How can I check were are the no-follow links on my site? I have found some tool online but it shows me that there are only 2 no-follow links on my website which are both www.cloudflare.com while SEOmoz report shows me that I have 1031...where can i view this links?
Link Building | | VillasDiani0 -
Bearshare links?
I am doing competitor link research and so far 4 of the 4 have had links from search.bearshare.net What kind of site is this? I am sure it isn't valuable but I can't figure out how it is getting crawled.
Link Building | | EcommerceSite0 -
Link building - am I too cautious?
The only backlink building I am doing is guest blogging as it seems most other methods have potential to harm rankings in the post panda/penguin era. As mentioned in another post I'm trying to get a strategy for social media that works as I believe social likes/shares are important. What other link building methods can I use that are totally safe? Is it okay to 'buy' a link on botw r examleas theyre editorally reviewed? I'm asking myself 2 questions when acquiring limks. 1. Would I want this link if google didn't exist and 2. Will it bring me relevant traffic. I'm almost scared of link building in case google punishes me. Are there any legitimate methods I'm missing?
Link Building | | SamCUK0 -
Neighborhood links
Hi, If my company offers carpet cleaning services, what neighborhood links partner I need to find. Can anybody list down the neighborhood. Thanks.
Link Building | | younus0 -
How long until links kick in?
Hey, We just got a bunch of great links on sites like TechCrunch and similar, but our SERP rankings and related remained unaffected. How long does it generally take for such links to "kick in" and help the website?
Link Building | | Malarowski0