Dedicated IP - does it matter?

Any evidence that Google really cares?

[pdivi]

In another recent thread, dedicated IP was cited as a factor in the Google algo. I've heard this a few times on this forum, but never really understood the origin of the theory. Has anyone had their search position improved by moving to a dedicated IP (or harmed by moving to a shared IP)?.

I have several sites on a shared IP. I can move them to dedicated IPs for add'l recurring fees. Is it a good bet?

[WiseWebDude]

I, personally, prefer using dedicated IPs. Make sure you redirect the IP to the www. version of your site (or http:// if you use that). I keep away from shared IPs as there is too much risk on a shared server. If you have a dedicated server with ONLY your sites on it, I wouldn't worry too much then. That has been MHO.

:)

[tedster]

I've never seen evidence that a dedicated IP address was somehow a positive factor in ranking. But I have seen the occasional technical confusion from a shared IP address.

[theBear]

"But I have seen the occasional technical confusion from a shared IP address."

Oh, is that what it is called these days, "technical confusion", don't you just love it.

The "technical confusion" I've seen resulted in tens of thousands of pages of content being replicated across multiple domains on a shared IP address.

If you build on a shared IP I'd suggest that you get really good with base hrefs, or .htaccess or absolute hrefs.

My favorite is the absolute form of hrefs absolutely no wiggle room to cause "technical confusion" others say that causes code bloat etc ....

[netmeg]

I dunno; we've been putting hundreds of clients on shared IPs for over ten years and never had a problem with ranking or technical errors that could be attributed to the IP. Not once.

[narsticle]

ive also never seen evidence that a unique ip effected what google thinks of a site. I have plenty of sites on shared ips with top rankings.

[dublinmike]

For guaranteed members or customer mass mail delivery you'll need a dedicated to create bulletproof spf records though.

Personally I've seen serp improvements moving domains onto really high quality god neighbourhood hosts, or was it coincidence? (rhetorical question obviously :-) )

[theBear]

Here is a clue, configuration is everything.

It is a lot harder to foul up a single site on a single IP, although I've also seen that.

Sometimes it gets called different names and presents itself in different manners.

Does everyone need reminders?

Stacking multiple sites on a single IP can easily lead to massive duplicate content issues which if any of you have followed the many threads about proxies, scrappers, www vs non-www, sites showing up on the IP address, one of my favorites custom error pages leading to the sites home page using the wrong redirection headers, add to that the query string fiasco then you may be able to understand what I am talking about.

Those are indeed ranking issues.

I'll leave some other possible paths as an exercise for the reader (hint, the links have it).

[WiseWebDude]

theBear,

You are right. The main thing one should worry about is the host itself. Are they good at what they do, or some cheap, junk host? If you use a junk host and they have porn sites, spam sites, MFA sites and all kinds of crap sites on the same shared IP, you COULD run into a problem. It is not worth the risk especially if you are an e-commerce site. That has been MHO.

:)

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[tedster]

The title for this thread and it's subtitle ask two different questions. As I see it:

"Dedicated IP - does it matter?" - Yes
"Any evidence that Google really cares?" - No

[WiseWebDude]

"Dedicated IP - does it matter?" - Yes
"Any evidence that Google really cares?" - No

Tedster, you are right. I would rather be safe than sorry and just have dedicated IPs personally.