301 Redirects affect on SEO

Discussion in 'Search Engine Optimization' started by gilgil2, Nov 5, 2011.

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  1. #1
    Hi

    I have 4 affiliate sites that are all in the same niche and I have bought the domain names mainly because they are frequently searched for terms in google. However to update all four daily would take more time than I have, so I am considering doing a 301 redirect from two of the sites, so I only have two to update.

    From a search engine perspective is this sensible? I have not built the sites yet or started building links, but say I built links to one of the ones that I will redirect, will Google punish this site as it is being redirected to another site, even though the names are pretty similar?

    If the loss of traffic will be minimal then I will do it, but if I have two sites that are essentially useless in terms of search engine traffic then I won't do the 301 redirects. I do not have much experience of this so any advice is welcome.

    Thanks
    Henry
     
    gilgil2, Nov 5, 2011 IP
  2. jdr8271

    jdr8271 Member

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    #2
    a 301 redirect is the correct way to handle this. Google will not punish you for this.
     
    jdr8271, Nov 5, 2011 IP
  3. BeyondDriven

    BeyondDriven Peon

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    #3
    301 redirect is the best way to forward those links. As jdr mentioned, they will not punish you.

    Reason being:
    Many companies merge together all the time to create one bigger company, what do they do with the site they chose not to use? They 301 redirect all the links. With all the companies merging (not just big ones) it would be detrimental to punish anyone for a 301.
     
    BeyondDriven, Nov 6, 2011 IP