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An interesting question I was just asked regarding Google Analytics

by Mac Wheeler
6 replies
A friend of mine just popped over for a cup of coffee, and he was explaining to me about a new website launch he has underway.

He already has an old site, which he wants to leave as is, which has a PageRank of 5.

His new site is hosted elsewhere, and he intends to add some links from the old site, to the new site, to lend the new site a little PR eventually.

The problem is, he is worried that once he adds the new site to his Google Analytics account, then Google will deduce that both sites are owned by the same entity, even though they are hosted in entirely different places on different servers.

Are Google actually this smart?
#analytics #asked #google #interesting #question
  • Profile picture of the author FreddieJones
    More than one can imagine. Google will definitely know about the owner.

    But i am not sure if this is illegal to add links from own site?
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    • Profile picture of the author dfs_dean
      I'm not sure I understand the concern. So what if Google knows who owns the sites?

      Actually, they already know. They are an accredited ICANN domain registrar so they've probably got pretty good access to registration data anyway. After all, Google got its ICANN "membership" in 2005 but I don't see them selling domains. If they aren't using it to sell domains what are they using it for?
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      • Profile picture of the author Dan C. Rinnert
        Originally Posted by Mac T Wheeler View Post

        The problem is, he is worried that once he adds the new site to his Google Analytics account, then Google will deduce that both sites are owned by the same entity, even though they are hosted in entirely different places on different servers.
        I think that would be a safe assumption.

        Originally Posted by dfs_dean View Post

        I'm not sure I understand the concern. So what if Google knows who owns the sites?

        Actually, they already know.
        Not if it's a private registration.
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  • Profile picture of the author Quentin
    I always go to the source for this stuff. Why Speculate.

    I have many different sites. Can I cross-link between them?

    Before you begin cross-linking sites, consider the user's perspective and whether the crosslinks provide value. If the sites are related in business -- e.g., an auto manual site linking to an auto parts retail site, then it could make sense -- the links are organic and useful. Cross-linking between dozens or hundreds of sites, however, probably doesn't provide value, and I would not recommend it.

    Article from Google Blog and conference.

    Official Google Webmaster Central Blog: Server location, cross-linking, and Web 2.0 technology thoughts

    Quentin
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  • Profile picture of the author rdxsumo
    Even if Google does know the ownership, it doesn't discount anything. You think buying space in a shopping center would cause the owner to increase the rates or reduce services because you're the sole owner? not at all.

    If you're obviously trying to trick Google about having two sites with same product, content etc then it may raise red flags.
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    Though to share some tips about buying cheap shoes this holiday season - if you like shopping :)
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    • Profile picture of the author Filter
      Why not just setup another Analytics account? Personally I use a different one for each site for just this reason....
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