if I build a new site, should I link to it from my other sites?

[callivert]

I'm building small sites in a niche I have discovered. To get the ball rolling, I linked to two of my new sites from two of my existing sites (2 incoming links each). I also linked to one of the new sites from one of the other new sites. Note: I have not buit a circle, it's just a one-way flow of links from old to new. Should I keep doing this or is this a dangerous practice? I seem to have gotten away with it so far, because one of my new sites is ranking top ten on a critical keyword.
How far can you stretch such a thing out before google figures it out and slays you?

[dcabbar]

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System: The following message was spliced on to this thread from: http://www.webmasterworld.com/google/3221291.htm [webmasterworld.com] by tedster - 5:09 pm on Jan. 16, 2007 (EST -5)

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Hi All,

I have 3 active sites right now: Site 1 has PR5 and Site 2 has PR4, and they both link to Site 3 which has PR4. All of these sites are legitimate sites (they are not spam sites) with content concentrated on their specific areas (no replicated/junk content, they all cater to different types of userbase with different content).

Now, I am opening up my fourth site, and I will be putting links from Site 1 and Site 2 to this Site 4.

So, I was wondering if it would hurt any of my sites if I put a link from Site 3 to Site 4 as well, or would Google consider this as link spam in any way?

BTW, all 4 sites are hosted on the same machine, with different IP addresses.

Thanks.

PS: I asked this originally on a different forum, but the question was swept away to a completely irrelevant topic.

[plasma]

I always link - with one link - form my old sites to new ones. The new site then ranks almost immediately.
These sites are all submitted to webmaster tools.

[annej]

I don't think it hurts and can be a good way to get spidered and get a little PR.

I'm assuming you are linking to an unrelated site. I think the important thing here is to not overdo that sort of thing. If you older site has most links to related sites I think it is overlooked. If you are linking all over the place to unrelated sites it may raise a flag.

[callivert]

One link sounds reasonable. As a webmaster, you're surely justified in giving a little love to a new site. A single inbound isn't particularly spammy. Therefore, since it sounds reasonable, google in their infinite wisdom, probably see it that way too. I will follow in your footsteps and provide a single link from now on.
Thanks for the tip!

[dcabbar]

I would really appreciate it, if you can comment on the scenario I mentioned. Do you think google will might punish these sites? BTW, these are the only out-bound links.

Thanks.

[callivert]

dcabbar,
Just going on the feedback given here, It sounds like you might be pushing your luck if you have too many converging links. I think nobody has replied so far because no-one knows for sure how many inbound links constitute a link farm. Some people here would say go for it, others would tell you you're playing with fire.