chiyo - 2:07 pm on Apr 24, 2003 (gmt 0)

There is more than one way for Google to identify same owned site linkages. Similar linking styles, similar formats or templates, pulling from the same database, IP's, hosts, etc etc.

Agree with Heini, dont cover up that the domains are all owned by you, but make sure each has a distinct theme/target, very small amounts of code, content and graphics in common, and independent links. Just dont do anything that could be construed that the cross-linking motive is to give each site a search engine exposure it wouldnt deserve on its own.

Also ask yourself, why have 20 sites? Do they help the browser more than one site with 20 sections?

I think as time moves on cross-linking penalties per se will become less significant as google improves tech - one small way being to become even more page-centric than they are now, compared to site-centric - another way to continually refine PR to reduce weightings of reciprocal links - and many others.

google's first attempt at significant cross linking "penalties" was a failure, even GoogleGuy said it penalised too many mom and pops and "innocents". Next time they will be more intelligent. I think they will look for other ways to minimise the SEO advantages of cross linking between co-owned sites.