Is there a SEO penalty for multi links on same page going to same destination page?

[daveupton]

Hi,

Just a quick note. I hope you are able to assist.

To cut a long story short, on the page below http://www.bookbluemountains.com.au/ -> Features Specials & Packages (middle column) we have 3 links per special going to the same page.
1. Header is linked
2. Click on image link - currently with a no follow
3. 'More info' under the description paragraph is linked too - currently with a no follow

Two arguments are as follows:
1. The reason we do not follow all 3 links is to reduce too many links which may appear spammy to Google. 2. Counter argument:
The point above has some validity, However, using no follow is basically telling the search engines that the webmaster “does not trust or doesn’t take responsibility” for what is behind the link, something you don’t want to do within your own website.   There is no penalty as such for having too many links, the search engines will generally not worry after a certain number.. nothing that would concern this business though.  I would suggest changing the no follow links a.s.a.p.

Could you please advise thoughts.

Many thanks

Dave Upton

[long signature removed by staff]

[Syed1]

Absolutely no penalty for multiple links to a single page!

[EssEEmily]

I agree with Syed. If I'm understanding the situation correctly, you are worried about a single page linking to a different page multiple times. This should not be a problem at all. Google will not penalize.

[MarieHaynes]

I don't believe there is a penalty.  However, It's widely believed that only the first link to each page will count as far as link juice goes.  So, if you have three links on the page that go to the same site make sure that the first one has the anchor text that you desire to rank for.

[EGOL]

Why should there be a penalty?  This often happens for important pages - they are linked to more than once because they appear in the persistent navigation and also in some on-page links.

Although a lot of people think that only the first link counts, I would consider this a sign of page importance.

[daveupton]

Thanks for all the replies. Appreciated.

I guess the reverse question: Do you think that having a lot of 'duplicate link no follows' on a webpage where there is already a 'primary link' is penalised.

Again, your thoughts would be appreciated.