I have 2 websites on my server will google ban the 2nd?

[SBCexpert]

my two websites are:

<snip>

They are on the same server I have been told this is terrible for SEO and the newer site just gets banned in the search engines.

I also have a third, but is not exactly the same like these two:

<snip>

Does anyone know any truth to this? I'm going to stop my link building campaign right away if this is true. I don't see why you aren't allowed to have more than one site if you pay for the domain name. but I'm sure there are good reasons behind this if it's true.. someone explain please thanks!

[edited by: Receptional_Andy at 8:28 pm (utc) on Aug. 24, 2009]
[edit reason] No specific domain names - see ToS and charter [/edit]

[Receptional Andy]

Welcome to WebmasterWorld [webmasterworld.com], SBCexpert :)

From personal experience, I can say that there is no rule whatsoever that excludes websites hosted on the same server or IP address. I have obtained successful rankings for sites on the same IP address, with identical WHOIS information and with links between those websites.

That said, if there is anything on your websites that contravenes Google's guidelines, then certainly making links between them (not just hyperlinks - any pattern that connects them including IP address or WHOIS) then this may mean Google's anti-spam algorithms or human evaluators could take action against them en masse.

If you are interlinking the sites, then there are perhaps other considerations, but like I said, in itself this is not going to trigger any ban or penalty. That's just a myth that seems to enjoy continued popularity.

[anallawalla]

Google as a rule does not "ban" the second of two sites on a server. A ban is a very clear step that is easy to check. Think about shared web hosting where you can see more than 10,000 sites on a single IP address. They are owned by different people but some accounts host multiple domains.

At the worst, a normal pair of sites owned by the same registrant that shows unnatural interlinking at the same IP address might get some algorithmic treatment, such as the devaluation of those links. If both have the same content, then duplicate content filters will demote one of the sites. But these are not bans.

[SBCexpert]

understood..

ya one of the sites is an exact replica only difference are the colors and the logo, the layout etc. is going to change soon which will be nice, but still I was on page 1 of google for the key word:

<snipped keywords>

which if you add the .com that is my website as well. So I can't figure out why i'm not even in the top 100 anymore. Yahoo kept me at #11 but I don't want to do any link building for a site that won't move up no matter what.

[edited by: eelixduppy at 3:29 am (utc) on Aug. 25, 2009]
[edit reason] snipped keywords [/edit]

[Broadway]

Two sites, exact same content? Isn't this a duplicate content issue and penalty?

[Pico_Train]

2 sites, different content, that's fine. 2 sites same content, different look, I would think you will get some sort of filter/penalty applied on one of the sites, probably the older one or the site with less PR. It's a template and you edit the css, it's not that hard to figure out.

[brinked]

If they both target the same/similar keywords then one of them could take a hit in the SERPS. I have found this out from personal experience when I decided to move all my sites to one dedicated server. I moved the newer website to a shared host and a few weeks later, it regained its rankings.

Even so...you should separate these two so they look like two separate sites by two completely different owners. Its always best to take every precaution with google so when things go wrong, it will be easier to rule things out.

[HuskyPup]

They are on the same server I have been told this is terrible for SEO and the newer site just gets banned in the search engines.

This is pure and utter SEO urban myth rubbish UNLESS one has, and you do, identical sites with identical content.

All the search engines are here for is to provide users with unique and relevant content, not duplicate site after duplicate site.

How do I know? I have 200+ sites all on the same server all running the same template site and 90+% of them are for one specific industry however they ALL have very different and unique content.

[Reno]

Even so...you should separate these two so they look like two separate sites by two completely different owners. Its always best to take every precaution with google so when things go wrong, it will be easier to rule things out.

This is very good advice no matter what the issue. I have come to think of Google in the same way I think of Sargeant Joe Friday:

"Anything you do can -- and WILL -- be used against you".

....................

[MrSavage]

I would approach this situation with caution. What people are failing to mention, is the ever changing line in the sand that Google draws up. Just because you have 200+ sites that are unique and some host etc, doesn't mean that some day, you are ratted out by some competitors, causing a Google investigation, and resulting in a catastrophic demise of your income or livelihood. Sound paranoid? Yes I am.

The point is what's fine today, may not be fine tomorrow. Just because you are doing it now, doesn't mean that Google is fine with it. You leave the door open a crack, you have to ask yourself. Is having my business or online presence worth being reduced to rubble over having multiple sites? I would personally ask yourself that question. If you're willing to risk it all, to have multiple website, then do so with caution.

Personally, I do see some webmasters or ecommerce folks turning to more private ways of doing business online. Like some have mentioned here, different hosts, different whois, etc. The only reason you're doing it, is to gain marketshare and potential profits. You need to bury yourself and remove yourself from being tagged, or you need to consider this rule of Google. They don't want multiple websites from the same person covering the same content! Ask yourself, couldn't I include all that content from all those other websites on my ONE domain? Answer yes, then you need to decide right now what to do. Leave the door open for your demise, or play by the one website, one person mentality. Of course you and I could debate what's reasonable in terms of what really is duplicate content, but we all know that Google will tell us what is or isn't duplicate content. Good luck.

[HuskyPup]

Sound paranoid? Yes I am.

Yep, got that one right haven't you with your recent experiences:-)

There is something that is very little mentioned on ANY posts from people/companies who have problems and that is are they merely Net businesses or are they real world bricks and mortar providers?

Currently too many sites exist all selling the same stuff being supplied from the same warehouse...is Google trying to weed some of the weaker ones out, I have no idea, but the fact is that the SERPS are full of so many "sellers". I never even use the Net these days for comparisons, I know where I can usually get a good deal and go straight there, saving a couple of quid in a few hundred is pointless compared to excellent service.

Build a business on shifting sands which you have no control over is a recipe for catastrophe, successful long-term businesses succeed for several reasons but one of them is not deliberately trying to hide who they are!

And if I were EVER to lose my account I would never come here and tell anyone!

[tedster]

long-term businesses succeed for several reasons but one of them is not deliberately trying to hide who they are

LOL! When you say it like that, Husky, it sure does seem obvious.

I guess one difference is that some people are just selling and not really marketing.

[tangor]

Billboards used to dot the American landscape many years ago. Lady Bird got involved and billboards disappeared.

Same thing can happen on the web... ie. the redundancy of Burma Shave all over the place. Just something to think about. Hasn't happened yet, but I see it coming...

[Reno]

Billboards... Same thing can happen on the web... ie. the redundancy of Burma Shave all over the place....Hasn't happened yet, but I see it coming

Those sort of websites are more like TV commercials than billboards, and the frequency/quantity of commercials has only grown with every passing year. More cable stations = more shows = more commercials. Google may in fact lower their value (and thus their ranking, which will impact their bottom line), but I can' see any act of congress or individual/group effort diminishing their production. As long as there's some $$ to be made, they're here to stay.

........................

[tangor]

Possibly... but when it comes down to making cents per day it makes no sense! :)