Links from multiple sites coming from the same server?

[rtavs]

Hi SEO Mozers,

As I structure my link building campaign I come across alot of directories some of which are located on the same server.

If I am to place links on these sites is this is negative signal for big G?

The reason I ask is because I see that a competitor has used these various directories and is ranking on the no 1 spot for a moderately competetive keyword. I am able to place links on the sites with almost no effort at all therefore even if it does not pass alot of link juice is it still worth it for me. But if this is seen as a negative I would not persue it.

What is your thoughts on this?

Thanks in advance,

Ross

[StalkerB]

Shouldn't be seen as negative unless the directories themselves are in bad standing with Google (and I assume they all have toolbar PR and aren't total spam fests).

As you say, it's probably not going to pass a lot of love to your site, but if it's little effort on you part then taking out any advantage the competition has is a good thing

[saibose]

Ross,

the fun part is that even Google doesnt know if the website hosted on the same set of IPs have the same owner or belong to different owners. Shared webhosts have such issues. Although, it maybe worthwhile to see if the IPs in that range are getting page rank or not.

As Barry said, it wont give you much mileage.

[DanDeceuster]

If you can get a low value link for minimal effort, why not? You would get a high quality link with maximum effort, right? If nothing else you demonstrate the variety in your backlinks that Google loves to see. It's ok if not every link you get is the best possible link. It's ok if it doesn't have the best possible anchor text. You got another domain linking to you that is also linking to your competitor, so you're leveling the playing field in a sense. Go for it.

And if you're worried about Google, don't be. A few directories hosted on the same server don't raise red flags. A network of thousands of sites operated by the same person with an intricate link scheme, now that is something to avoid.

[rtavs]

HI Saibose,

THanks for you reply. Funily enough I was having this same discusssion with my collegue and I raised the same question. There must be tons of sites on the same server with the same site structure (how many WP blogs have you seen?) and similar content on them. The links won't give me dramatic results over night but they are necessary to maintaining a healthy looking link profile.

Cheers,

Ross

[rtavs]

Hi Dan,

Thanks for your reply.

I am with you on this one 100%. All links are good links, some better than others, as long as they are not listed next to the 5000 "cheap viagra" links- all is good.

Cheers,

Ross

[jaraca]

Thanks you all. Useful insights for my linkbuilding strategy!