Would google (and possibly other SO's) lower the ranks for this?

The company I work for has decided to point many URLs at the same server. They all share a common theme, but should be treated as separate sites. They will all be on the same IP address, but will each have completely independent domain names.

When google sees this will it negatively affect our ability to generate organic traffic?

 

I read somewhere that too much interlinking among a group of sites could trigger a penalty. But I don't know if it's really true.

 

As long as the content is different you are fine.

 

I have over 1000 sites on the same server.

Some link to each other but not many. However all of them link to one site.

We do this not for SEO but because they are all related.

One thing to remember is that many web design companies create sites for people on the same box and then site wide link to their site as the designer.

You will receive NO penalty but you will be likely to receive NO or little seo benefit.

Also if you are suggesting that all the sites that point to the main website are on one server and the main website on another? Now there is a different story here.

I have a competitor doing this and they are ranking first for every keyword they can think of.

Think of it this way, let’s say you are my competitor and to be spiteful I anchor link bomb you like what you are suggesting. I don’t believe your site will be panellised for this as this would be out of your control.

However you will again receive no benefit.

 

I run quite a few web servers, and I do this all the time.

For example, I have a client that had separate websites built for each state he did business in (about 12 if I remember right). The sites did NOT interlink with each other, but each had sitewide links marking them as members of the "Widget Family of Companies" and linking to the main corporate site. All the sites were on a single server using the same IP address.

The content was unique on each site, the design and layout was different, each site had a different number of pages, and the titles and descriptions were relevant to that individual site. The main corporate website is ranking very well for all their keywords and directing traffic to the subsidiary sites. The subsidiary sites are ranking well for geographic searches, and between all the sites, a huge amount of traffic is being generated (and a lot of business!).

 

if you mean a redirect to ONLY one domain , it will not be problem but if you mean that you will mirror so many domain to your main domain, it will be considered aduplicate content

 

The thing is, our targeted audience is a VERY wide one, and what we are doing with the sites is "splitting the interest" so we can rank higher for each category.

Each "mini-site" will hold a single category and display our products relevant to this category and the main site will hold everything and handle the order process. If you need more detail, just ask.

Note: There will be NO redirecting involved.

 

So the content wont be unique then?

You will basically be duplicating the content, but the sub sites will take you to the category at that base level?

Will there be any benefits for the user? or is it purely an SEO thing?