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my domain name was used as a spam/scam site previously

by jlqz27
8 replies
  • SEO
    • |
Hi Experts,

I just started my first affiliate website/blog, when i realised that my domain name was previously used as a spam/scam site back in 2011. I am just wondering should i get another domain name or stick to the current one? Will it affect my seo ranking in google?
#domain #previously #site #spam or scam
  • Profile picture of the author awj888
    If it was previously used for spam then you should drop it - if someone else dropped it its most likley because it was de-indexed of got slapped with a penalty.

    Always do some due-dil on any old domain you buy with waybackwhen machine etc -

    either buy a new domain, with no history, or check your history very well - majestic/ahrefs/moz can show you a lot of old anchor text, and current links - if you have a site like superawesomewidgets.com but all the links are for luis vuitton handbag cheap then DON'T BUY IT
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  • Profile picture of the author jlqz27
    Thanks for the advice, i'm currently having a small list of subscribers if i were to change my domain name will they get confused? Those subscribers i got is mostly from the solo ads that i paid *ouch*
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    • Profile picture of the author awj888
      Originally Posted by jlqz27 View Post

      Thanks for the advice, i'm currently having a small list of subscribers if i were to change my domain name will they get confused? Those subscribers i got is mostly from the solo ads that i paid *ouch*
      You can always tell your subscribers about your new site - the ones that are worth having will follow you there easily - and if you are worried you can always 'motivate' them with some gift, reward etc to go and subscriber to another site / list.

      if you have invested some time into this domain then it doesnt mean you should drop the name, and delete the site - you can keep it, but go buy a new domain/clean domain and start new site there - the old one can just offer some link pointing people that you have moved - if you are worried about that link being a problem then no-follow it.
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      :: AWJ of Thinking Creativity :: My wifey is a photographer, check out her work @ OLEXIE ::

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  • Profile picture of the author InitialEffort
    I would recommend using another domain. It will probably save you a lot of pain in the long run.
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  • Profile picture of the author sweezeter
    Just look into the backlinks and let that tell the picture. In most circumstances Google doesn't take manual action on spam/scam sites as they aren't the judge and jury. Unless it was a huge domain that made huge public news.

    Otherwise, as crazy as this sounds, the previous scammers may have given you a nice link boost as a result of all of the pissed off clients posting on the net.

    Granted this could be a problem for you if you decide to sell anything from the domain in the future, but otherwise you may be ok.
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  • Profile picture of the author paulgl
    Originally Posted by jlqz27 View Post

    Hi Experts,

    I just started my first affiliate website/blog, when i realised that my domain name was previously used as a spam/scam site back in 2011. I am just wondering should i get another domain name or stick to the current one? Will it affect my seo ranking in google?
    Well, with a "first affiliate website/blog" you are basically doing the same thing...

    Your question begs another question:

    Since when did google require an old domain to not be reused again?

    People can what-if themselves to death. That also makes no sense.

    Paul
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    If you were disappointed in your results today, lower your standards tomorrow.

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  • Profile picture of the author Pdomain
    Banned
    And, how did you know that your domain is used for scams previously?

    If you got this information from your domain name registrar, ignore this... you a re a new owner of that domain name and you are starting a business with a good intention.
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  • Profile picture of the author SEO-Dave
    Originally Posted by jlqz27 View Post

    Hi Experts,

    I just started my first affiliate website/blog, when i realised that my domain name was previously used as a spam/scam site back in 2011. I am just wondering should i get another domain name or stick to the current one? Will it affect my seo ranking in google?
    Wasn't clear if you are saying it was a site that basically tried to rip people off, or used blackhat SEO techniques to rank?

    Are there any penalties currently listed under Google Webmaster Tools?

    All because a site has been used for something untoward (illegal even), doesn't mean it has a Google penalty.

    If it was used for scamming people, I'd be concerned at the reputation of the domain, if it's listed as a scam domain and has negative reviews, if your users search Google and find those reviews they aren't going to know it's under new management.

    What to do depends on how important reputation is, if trying to build a rep use another domain. If it's not a very important affiliate site (part of a network of sites you own), rep isn't as much of a big issue.

    David
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    Freelance SEO Consultant
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