Same backlinks for 5 websites - can this cause problems?

[serenoo]

I own 5 websites. They have the same theme. I have < BrandA widgets, BrandB widgets >, etc ....
So when I try to exchange link I ask to get 5 exchange links. That means all my websites have the same number of backlinks on the same pages with different anchors. My websites are not interlinked.
Could that cause to me problems?

[edited by: tedster at 4:15 pm (utc) on June 8, 2009]
[edit reason] specific details edited [/edit]

[tedster]

Yes, it can cause problems. To rank well, any site needs a diversity in its backlink profile at any rate, not just a few resiprocal links.

[serenoo]

Do you know how many "common" backlinks can I get?
50% equal and 50% different is ok?

[tedster]

All you can do is try and find out what works for your site. There's no public exact formula that I know of, and Google's private formula is always shifting.

[anallawalla]

If you got a backlink each from Yahoo Dir, BOTW, DMOZ, etc for your five sites, I don't think there is a problem here. If the links are from minor sites, I expect no issue either.

Avoid reciprocal links unless from your own niche.

[serenoo]

So I am at the starting point again: someone says it is a problem, someone else says there is no problem.
What is the truth? :(

[tangor]

Natural links. Forget reciprocal. Go for those, INDIVIDUALLY for each site. You'll get better results.

edit:

More humbly, since the guys above know more than I do... Don't obsess, but also make each site unique so that each gets the view/index you desire. That, to me, is natural links to each of the sites.

[fishfinger]

someone says it is a problem, someone else says there is no problem

... no they didn't. The sites mentioned (Yahoo Dir, BOTW, DMOZ) are trusted sites and it is natural for many sites to be listed in them.

On the other hand, if you have other sites with less trust and authority all linking to every one of your sites then that looks more like a network.

[serenoo]

My sites are not interlinked. They have unique content and I do not take reciprocal links.
What about if I get 5 backlinks from the same site but on 5 different pages?
Could that hurt me anyway?

[tangor]

serenoo... I have a feeling you're asking a question without giving all the facts. Anybody that links to me I welcome. Is something going on we're not being told about?

[idolw]

serenoo, this shuold not hurt you unless google figures out the sites you get links from are crap and ALL your sites go down at the same time.
Diversification costs money now but can save you in the future.

[fishfinger]

when I try to exchange link I ask to get 5 exchange links

I do not take reciprocal links

which is it? are they 3-ways?

[serenoo]

Tangor: I told you everything. Probably I did not tell you I get backlinks from dofollow blogs.
Idolw: just to avoid my sites go down at the same time I have them on 3 different hosting. Thank you for your help.
fishfinger: I get backlinks from dofollow blogs or websites that allow comments with url.
This is the reason why when I found a blog that allow me dofollow comment I'd like to insert 5 backlinks instead of only one. But usually a blog has many pages so I could comment 5 different pages.

[tangor]

Biggest problem I can see is keeping track of all the inserts! Over-working it a bit, IMO.

[BradleyT]

Wouldn't it take an insane amount of processing for google to figure out that two sites in its index have backlinks from all the same sites?

Personally I don't think it's possible.

[internetheaven]

Natural links. Forget reciprocal. Go for those, INDIVIDUALLY for each site. You'll get better results.

I disagree:

[webmasterworld.com...]

;)

[michaelj72]

my first thought was that it might be a problem if all five sites were on the same server, but you have them on 3 different hosts. i don't see a problem.
but in any case if you are worried about it, why not work on getting some different quality links for each site.

[serenoo]

Because it is very hard. When you find a dofollow blog with high pr it is very hard add only one website sometimes I am not able to resist. If you add only one website your work is multiplied for 5.

[internetheaven]

For a group of my sites I set up a link exchange program which meant that anyone who exchanged links with me got an email saying "you can exchange links with these sites too:" which has resulted in many of those sites sharing links. They probably only share between 20%-40% of the same linking sources but those sites have always been poor performers. It could be something else but just thought I'd throw my anecdotal tin foil hat into the ring.

[serenoo]

I made the same with 2 websites of mine of the same theme, but now reciprocal links have less power, so I stopped searching for reciprocal and starting for oneway link.

[tangor]

internetheaven: I believe we're speaking same language, but I left two words out "back links". Regardless of similarity of each website, if each is developed as "unique" with "unique back links" the benefit will follow.

serenoo: reciprocal is lesser value than organic. Has been since day one.

[HuskyPup]

My websites are not interlinked.

If they are on the same theme and you have relevant unique content on each site then interlink them and only ask for one backlink to what you consider your principal site.

No matter what you do the SEs will consider one site more important than the others therefore use it to your advantage and don't try to deceive them into thinking you have five different sites.

Anyway, if each site does have different content it's to your and your users' benefit to have them interlinked.