Similar Pages Command

[textex]

Can someone explain to me what this is? Several our own sites show up for a site's similar search. But these sites do not link to or from eachother.

[tedster]

When you click on the "Similar Pages" link for a search result, Google automatically scouts the web for pages that are related to this result.

The Similar Pages feature can be used for many purposes. If you like a particular site's content, but wish it had more to say, Similar Pages can find sites with similar content with which you may be unfamiliar. If you are looking for product information, Similar Pages can find competitive information so you can make direct comparisons. If you are interested in researching a particular field, Similar Pages can help you find a large number of resources very quickly, without having to worry about selecting the right keywords.

[google.com...]

So it's really something more for the end user, not the website owner. It's about topics, not links.

[textex]

I hear ya...
But, seems like there is more...

I have two sites that rank in Google. Their similar command bring back sites that are related, that I do not own.

On the other hand, my sites that are filtered, when you click on their similar command, some of my other sites (that are also filtered) are returned. Mind you the sites are of the same sector, but different sub topics.

[Robert Charlton]

I have two sites that rank in Google. Their similar command bring back sites that are related, that I do not own.

Last time I looked carefully, the Similar pages link for a returned page on a Google search page brings up a set of pages that are linked to by a page that links to you. You can get the same result using the related:url operator.

So, if you have a page (or default canonical site url) in a particular dmoz category, eg, then all the other pages (or default canonical urls) linked to in that category will be related to your page or site.

On the other hand, my sites that are filtered, when you click on their similar command, some of my other sites (that are also filtered) are returned.

This might in fact be why they are filtered... because they share a lot of common backlink sources. They may effectively be on a relatively closed mini-network, something that Google doesn't like.