Assuming I have many websites which i used the same template for. Recently, i have been wondering what google says about using the same template for many website. if i am using the same dimensions, image names, and coding for each site. Each site is related to the each other . if The only thing I'm changing is the graphics and text the text is 100% unique. Could this pose a threat if I'm hosting all these sites on the same server? Here are the things that are similar:
Based from my experience, I think that would be not a problem. Unless if you are using same content in all the websites. -cypher.
I am damm sure that google will not penalize that site LOGIC: When pro template is available for sale, Hundereds of people buy it take and example of template monster, Same template is purchased and used by 100's of people, If google discourages it than site like template moster and other template providers will never allow dual sale, Hope this will help , thanx
Exactly! Torrado provide the right answer. And it is logical of course, it is impossible google to penalise that site.
But in sense, they can penalize you though. According to Google, If your site is not 100% unique then they have the right to do whatever they want. You have a very logical point, but im just curious to know what google has to say about this. But i can't seem to find any information online about it. It's very frustrating.
You CAN get penalized for this. Matt Cutts did a video about this exact scenario. They don't want you to have multiple websites targeting the same niche in the exact same manner. They do not like cookie cutter approaches like that. If you have multiple websites targeting the same niche, they want to see that you are using different approaches with each site. If each site is the same but just targeting different keywords it is blatant spam. Ask yourself, why do you need multiple websites? If the answer is just to target different keywords, don't expect Google to like it. Gone are the days when you can just create a massive network of similar sites and dominate for a wide variety of keywords. Google has taken steps to prevent that kind of situation. The thing is, it might not be easy for Google to detect algorithmically unless they are very similar. So you might not get penalized until you somehow get a manual review. Google has admitted that they look at groups of websites together in manual reviews when they believe the same person/company runs them all.
Hi SS-Q, Thanks for the reply. Would you happen to know where i can find that Video that was done by Matt Cutt? if you have the link, i would greatly appreciate it.
It's funny how many people on here reply with absolutely nothing to back up their theories. I was penalized on Google with personal websites of my own which were in a similar situation. At the time I did a ton of reading, particularly on Google support forums. This is most definitely something that could result in a manual penalty. In time Google might get better at detecting this algorithmically too.
I've the same set of mini-sites all are targeting the same niche, well with different localized keywords, I've them setup on different domains using the exact same layout, content structure, and design. All of them are ranking really well with no sign of any penalty (except one got hit by EMD). Note: The content of each site is 100% Unique and there is no duplicated content of any kind. However, the ONLY difference between my sites and yours, that I'm using a unique IP for each domain and not hosting them all on the same IP Address. PS, Each site has its own G Account, WMT, Analytics with Hidden Whois records, so go figure - Better be safe than sorry
Exactly...you have to be very careful if taking that approach. You don't want it to be too easy for Google to connect the dots. At this point the greatest danger is a manual review, but in some niches it might be tough to trigger one of those. In my case I was ranked at the top of a very profitable niche. So that might have led them to do a manual review quicker.
Based on my personal experience - I have been using same templates one several websites with the different text and different things on it. However all (99%) of the images are the same and there are no problem as long as content is unique.
As long as your content is genuine in every site using the same template you will not be penalized. Just keep in mind the Google webmaster guidelines and make the websites for real human visitors and not for the googlebot and you will be fine
It is not a problem. Only if you start linking the sites which each other. Google recognises the style and layout and may suspect you of setting up a linkfarm.
My experience is that as long as the content is unique on your website you should be OK, even if you you use templates for site design.
It doesn't really matter in terms of appearance, but more on the content thats on these websites. Theres also the level of trust factor into googles algorithm, you should check out searchengineland for updates like these.