Linking between your own websites- yay or nay?

[ClintonP]

Hi Guys

I have 4 different niche websites in the healthcare area and wondering is it a safe strategy to link between them? I'm not sure if this is frowned upon by the search engines.

I have heard the term 'link wheel', but I'm not sure if this is what a link wheel would be.

I do have 2 sites that are much more important than the other 2. One is a directory of practitioners and the other is my main site of my healthcare business. The 2 other websites are smaller niche markets that I also service.

My directory was previously hurt by the Penguin update because I was using Linkvana and blog networks and the anchor text was too specific. I have discontinued using any blog networks or 'quick link' strategies. I'm now implementing a guest posting strategy on reputable  websites.

I want to do everything buy the book now and thought I should check before any new linking strategy.

Thanks in advance!

Clinton

[ak1lz]

This could come off as a "Blog Network" to Google and would be frowned upon. Since your Directory was dinged, I wouldn't associate it with your other websites. Personally I had 5 sites myself that were all in a "General" niche but a little different and all linking up with each other. They did not get penalized or anything but as soon as those updates rolled out I removed their linking structure. Better to be safe than sorry!

[ClintonP]

OK. That's helpful. Thank you!

[Francisco_Meza]

If they are on the same c-block, then I probably wouldn't link them. Instead I would  focus on doing what is best for the user and optimize for conversions. I definitely wouldn't link a non-relative website to another or the Penguin site.

[ClintonP]

Thanks Francisco. I'm not sure what a c-block is though. Can you clarify?

[Francisco_Meza]

C-Blocks are groups of domains with an administrative relationship between them. Linking domains residing on the same C-Block often indicates websites that have the same owner.

[ClintonP]

OK. Thanks Francisco. That makes sense. So if these websites are hosted with different hosting companies, I am a little less at risk?

[MalcolmGibb]

The risk is still there if Google manages to find a connection. You ideally need different C-Block IP hosts as mentioned to link sites together to gain benefit. Although I would avoid the whole 'Blog network' and 'link wheel' idea, don't try and only link your sites together in a wheel. I have seen sites do this - shoot up the rankings brag about it and then never to be seen again.

[ClintonP]

Thanks Malcolm. That's sound advice.