Penalised for multiple websites targeting same keywords?

[dsnewstead]

Is this classed as "spamming"?

Multiple websites targeting the same keywords. For example, launching 5 websites, all optimised for ranking high for the terms 'widget' & 'widgets'. All content completely unique, each site design different, etc, but each site using the same white hat SEO practices.

After 6 months, all 5 sites occupy positions on the 1st page of the Google page results. They are all owned by me. Will the "Big G" penalise me/ does this constitute spamming?

Best regards, David.

[Robert Charlton]

dsnewstead - Welcome to WebmasterWorld. There have been two recent threads on the topic of multiple sites with similar content on Google, which may account for the lack of discussion. Neither asked exactly the same question as you're asking, though, but the comments touch on many of the issues....

Can you be penalized for being "too successful"?
(for lack of a better phrase)
[webmasterworld.com...]

Two sites, different content. Would Google ban by registrar?
[webmasterworld.com...]

You don't mention hosting or linking, or how similar the sites are in their approach (as opposed just to the uniqueness of their text content), or how competitive the market area is.

After 6 months, all 5 sites occupy positions on the 1st page of the Google page results.

This short time-frame for new sites to get to page one suggests that the phrases might not be hugely competitive, which may make it much easier for the sites to stay where they are.