Backlinks Lost From Recycled URL

Momentary Index

[rrold2]

I recently launched a site using a "recycled" URL. About 2 weeks after putting the site up, the google toolbar showed a rating along with active back links.

3 Days later the page rank was 0, and no back links were listed. Unfortunately, I did not check Google for indexed pages prior to the "0" rating.

Has anyone else ever had this occur? I'm a bit nervous on this one. Does Google ever "sandbox" recycled URL's?

Additional note:
The old back links are actually still valid because the site has similar subject matter to the original ( used wayback to view old content).

Thanks,
RR

[conor]

Did the Domain expire first?

[rrold2]

Yes. This was an expired domain that we had acquired at the end of July.

[conor]

That'll be the reason.

[rrold2]

Any idea what I can expect? I have been checking logs daily to see if Google has spidered the site but no visits have been logged. One of our new inbound linked sites has updated in Google's cache and our link is shown. It is a direct text link that does not pass through a script. Shouldn't Google’s bot follow the link and spider the site? All of the pages are properly titled and relevant (non-spam like) descriptions are present as well

[jk3210]

You'll get credit for all new links acquired AFTER you got the domain, then after a year, you'll get credit for the domain's old links that still are linking to it.

Some people have been able to maintain old links through a domain expiration/acquision, but I've only heard of a few able to do it.

[rrold2]

What is this based on? Personal experience, inside info? What does Google do, check registration records?
It can't be due to an IP change. I changed IP's on another site and my ranking actually jumped higher.

[mykel79]

It is a counter-measure against buying expired domains for ranking. Yes, google checks the Whois data and registers if a domain has expired.

[conor]

"then after a year, you'll get credit for the domain's old links" - never heard of that. Yes new links will count but pre re-registraion links are disregarded entirly.

[rrold2]

This is a real shame. Many sites that I would request a link from (and probably receive)are already linking to the URL. I am wondering if having the current links be removed for a period of time and have them re-added at a later date (with different anchor text) would help?

At this point I am crying in my coffee. Maybe I should send Google an email requesting a review? Now I'm crying and laughing!

[jk3210]

>>never heard of that<<

I thought I read it in an old GG post, but now I can't find it, so maybe it was just wishful thinking on my part.

[too much information]

why not track down some of the old links and request that they update the link to an interior page or throw a "?source=site_name" on the end so you can see how much traffic they are generating for you.

At least you know where you will be able to get links, you will have to do some work, but it's not as hard as starting entirely from scratch.