Self links

[vovk]

I have four links targeting to the same page they are placed on. I wonder if anyone could explain me whether Google penalizes such a practice or not?
Is it worth anyway?

[Manpasand]

I didn't understand your question:(

[wige]

Do you mean that on index.html you have a link pointing to index.html, or a link pointing to index.html#someanchor?

[tomcatuk]

Most homepages have at least one, more likely two links that point to themselves. I can't for the life of me thing why Google (or any other engine) would count them as important links, but by the same token they isn't any logical reason to penalise the page either.

If you're using specific (different) anchor text on these different links though, it could be viewed as an attempt to game the system.

[spiceboy]

I have a link on every page that returns to the Home Page, including the home page itself - never seems to have harmed rankings and always (4 years) ranked well for important keywords for these pages.

[incrediblehelp]

I have four links targeting to the same page they are placed on.

Linking to the same page 4 times on one page. I guess first question is why and then secondly I agree that I don't see a reason that it would be penalized if it is done for good reason.