Does Having Multiple Websites Impact Google Rankings?

Google’s John Mueller Addresses Impact of Having Two Sites on Search Rankings

John Mueller from Google recently discussed the potential impact of operating two websites on search rankings. His insights shed light on the various ways this situation can be viewed.

Someone asked Google if having two websites could harm their search engine rankings. The question was short and not very clear, which may have influenced the response given by Mueller.

“My rankings have dropped due to Google finding out I have two websites. Is this correct?”

Google’s John Mueller answered:

It's not common for people to have just one website. Having multiple websites is not a problem at all.

However, the real issue arises when you are working on too many websites. This can lead to a lack of time to create truly amazing websites. If your websites are not impressive, our algorithms may detect this and affect how your site is recommended to others.

A New Approach to Addressing the Question

John Mueller provided his response based on the assumption that the two websites mentioned in the question cover different topics. He began his explanation by acknowledging the fact that it is common for individuals to have multiple websites.

Many individuals do not own multiple websites on the same subject. The individual who posed the question did not provide clear information on whether the websites were also about different subjects.

It is highly likely that the websites focus on the same subject. Therefore, it is understandable why there may be concerns about Google discovering both sites, as it could be interpreted as an attempt to manipulate Google. After all, why would someone be worried about having multiple sites on varying topics?

If the websites are all about the same topic, the answer to the question changes slightly.

When one person manages several sites on the same subject, it's often for the purpose of boosting their ranking. However, this isn't the ideal approach for building a successful website.

I don't think there's anything shady about this practice, but I do believe it may not be the most effective way to establish quality signals. It's not like someone is intentionally trying to build several top-notch sites for users, right?

Another factor driving the creation of multiple sites for ranking purposes (rather than quality) is the belief that by dividing a topic into smaller subtopics, individuals can develop stronger sites focused on those specific subtopics, rather than having one site covering multiple related subjects.

Many people end up managing several interconnected websites, which could actually be more successful if combined into one strong, authoritative website.

I reached out to Bill Hartzer from Hartzer Consulting (Facebook profile) to get his thoughts on how having multiple websites on the same topic might impact search engine rankings.

Bill agreed with me and shared that many people mistakenly believe that they can easily double their money or traffic by creating another website on the same topic after successfully building one that ranks well. However, he emphasized that this is not the case.

Companies used to create separate websites for each of their products or services on different domain names. However, this strategy has not been effective in the past decade. It is now recommended to have one main website that encompasses all products and services for a stronger online presence and authority.

When multiple websites are created for products or services on the same topic, the original website tends to rank better than the secondary ones. Therefore, it is advisable to consolidate all websites into one main website for better overall ranking and visibility.

Impact of Multiple Sites on Rankings

Publishing multiple sites on various topics may hinder one's ability to focus on making one site outstanding, according to John Mueller. He points out that this could have an indirect negative effect on rankings, although it is unlikely to directly impact rankings.

When considering the impact on ranking when multiple sites are on the same topic, the answer becomes more complex. It may hinder the ability to create one exceptional site and result in several average sites, following a similar path as Mueller's original response.

However, when creating multiple sites on different topics, the outcome is not predetermined. It is entirely feasible to succeed in managing multiple sites on various subjects. While it may be challenging for an individual to achieve, it becomes manageable when multiple individuals collaborate on the websites by generating content and emphasizing promotion.

Watch/listen to the Google SEO Office hours at the 33 second mark:

Featured Image by Shutterstock/Asier Romero

Editor's P/S:

The article provides valuable insights from John Mueller on the impact of having multiple websites on search rankings. Mueller emphasizes that having multiple websites is not inherently detrimental, but it is crucial to focus on creating high-quality content and avoiding duplicate content that could negatively affect rankings. It is important to consider the intent behind multiple websites and whether they are created for genuine reasons or solely for ranking manipulation. In cases where multiple websites are on the same topic, it may be beneficial to consolidate them into one strong, authoritative site for better overall visibility and ranking. Ultimately, the success of multiple websites depends on the quality of content and the ability to manage them effectively, regardless of their topic.