Google software engineer Matt Cutts answered a number of questions submitted online on February 26, 2009. Among the questions asked was a query about whether or not a large number of domain redirects constituted suspicious activity.
Is redirecting a large number of domains suspicious? –
As a necessary precursor to answering the actual query, Matt touched upon a number of reasons why someone might want to perform this sort of activity on a legitimate basis. One of the scenarios he outlined involved a company that owned a large number of closely related web sites, such as sites that were slight misspellings of the intended destination, or instances where they had previously operated a number of distinct sites now being aggregated under a single banner.
The questioner wanted to know whether Google regarded such multiple site redirects towards a single destination as suspicious. The tenor of the answer was, on the face of it, that these were not a problem. Matt did, however, admit that Google might take a look at them but would probably conclude that nothing fishy was taking place. To put it another way, the answer is actually yes, Google would examine such redirects but would not be alarmed once they understood the reason for such atypical procedures.
Stating that Google finds nothing wrong with such a practice is not the same as saying that Google does not occasionally take a look at such activities.
How to use this guidance
This refreshed guide, Is Redirecting A Large Number Of Domains Suspicious?, is best used as a practical decision aid rather than a promise of a particular result. Check each recommendation against the visitor’s task, your current offer and the information on the relevant page.
- Define the question a visitor is trying to answer.
- Check the page on a phone as well as a desktop screen.
- Make one specific improvement and record what changed.
- Review customer feedback, search queries and page data before choosing the next change.
Clear language, accurate details and accessible structure make a page easier to use. Avoid claims about rankings, traffic or commercial outcomes that cannot be substantiated.
Frequently asked questions
What should I check first?
Start with the visitor question and the next useful action the page should support.
Should I make every change at once?
No. Focus on one well-defined change so you can review it sensibly.
Do I need to repeat a keyword often?
No. Natural, accurate wording is more useful than repeated phrases.
How can I test clarity?
Check whether essential information is easy to find on common devices.
Will a refresh guarantee better rankings?
No. Search visibility is not guaranteed; usefulness and accuracy are the aims.
What evidence should I review?
Use relevant page data, search queries and customer feedback with current service information.
Why is accessibility relevant?
Clear headings, descriptive links and suitable image text help more people use a page.
When should I review this again?
Review the article when reliable information, audience needs or the service changes.
Leave a Reply