1 single account at G\Y\MSN for multiple sites; or different accounts for each site?

[Clint1]

One single webmaster account at G, Y & MSN for multiple websites; or different accounts for each of your websites?

I've been wondering about this for some time so I thought I would ask here. Is there any downside or disadvantage to having one single webmaster account at G, Y and MSN for all of one's websites, then just add your various sites under that one account login, or should each of your websites have a different account? Does it make absolutely no difference either way?

Thanks for any input.

[danlefree]

Unless you're involved in something shady (i.e. link-farming) there's no reason to worry about any extrinsic analysis which may occur - I haven't seen any reason to avoid aggregating accounts.

[Doc]

I would agree with Dan, Clint. I have all my sites consolidated, and I can't imagine how it would present any sort of problem, as long as I'm not breaking any of the "rules". FWIW, three of my sites are related, and do have some inter-linking.

It does raise the question though...do you give your clients access to view their account? I don't, as I compile my own reports for them. I'm not even sure whether or not GWT allows passworded, limited access to just one site's data...I would imagine so. If not, that might be a good reason to separate them.

[morestar]

what are you guys talking about? I'm confused? Is there an interface/website that allows you to access all the webmaster services for GWT, Y and MSN in one console?

[Doc]

Originally Posted by morestar

what are you guys talking about? I'm confused? Is there an interface/website that allows you to access all the webmaster services for GWT, Y and MSN in one console?

No, morestar. We're talking about any one of those services, such as GWT, Y or MSN, and whether it's an issue to have several websites reporting via one account, or if it's better to have an individual account for each website.

[morestar]

oic

ya i hear you...I put all my sites into one account but certain client sites, i create a separate account for them so they can own it if i die...

[chrisJumbo]

If you aren't wearing tin-foil and worried about black suburbans, then under one account should be fine. :O) The idea of keeping client info separate is a good idea. I keep my personal sites separate from the company site that I manage.

However, I know people that like to push the limits and test various theories for linking, ranking, etc. For that reason, they have multiple accounts so that if one gets slapped it won't bring unwanted attention to the other sites.

[morestar]

Originally Posted by chrisJumbo

If you aren't wearing tin-foil and worried about black suburbans, then under one account should be fine. :O)

lol i had to laugh at that !

[mp3r4]

Originally Posted by morestar

oic

ya i hear you...I put all my sites into one account but certain client sites, i create a separate account for them so they can own it if i die...

I believe with GWT you can have more then one account per site. Therefore, you can keep one GWT account for yourself and create another one for your client.

[danlefree]

Originally Posted by chrisJumbo

If you aren't wearing tin-foil and worried about black suburbans, then under one account should be fine.

Corollary: If you are wearing a black hat and worried about tin-foil suburbans (and who isn't - it'd be quite worrisome if they existed) ...

[Jlee350]

Sometimes it's a pain to remember all of the log-ins, but I typically use different accounts to make sure I don't pull data for the wrong client.

[BoBoMisiu]

Sounds like OpenID to me.

[Clint1]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I don't understand the various mentions of "clients". I don't have any "clients". My websites are my own websites. I have 3 which are the same line of work. One main site, one sort of secondary for a specific area of the line of work. The 3rd sort of undecided and under construction. Of those 3, two have a G WMT account and they are separate accounts (which I did years ago). The other has no WMT account yet.

I have several other websites that are simply domain names for sale in many different fields and consist only of 1-3 pages.

In Y, I have one account for my main website.

I don't have any WMT account in MSN yet.

So.....should I consolidate all of my websites under my one main G WMT account and Y account?

When opening one up at MSN, should all be under one or would it be best to use 2 or 3 separate accounts?

I was thinking, knowing how "evil" G is, that if one may put all of their sites under one account G will think "Ohhh, he's already got one website in the index, he doesn't need anymore, so let's delete the others". I don't really think that would be the case as much in Y or MSN, but I still should ask. Remember that 3 of the sites are the same general field, but one of them is one product/service specific.

Thanks guys.

[Social.Netting]

Originally Posted by Doc

I would agree with Dan, Clint. I have all my sites consolidated, and I can't imagine how it would present any sort of problem, as long as I'm not breaking any of the "rules". FWIW, three of my sites are related, and do have some inter-linking.

It does raise the question though...do you give your clients access to view their account? I don't, as I compile my own reports for them. I'm not even sure whether or not GWT allows passworded, limited access to just one site's data...I would imagine so. If not, that might be a good reason to separate them.

Thanks, Doc.

Very clear and to the point.

[FoundByDesign]

Originally Posted by Clint1

Thanks for the replies guys.

I don't understand the various mentions of "clients". I don't have any "clients". My websites are my own websites. I have 3 which are the same line of work. One main site, one sort of secondary for a specific area of the line of work. The 3rd sort of undecided and under construction. Of those 3, two have a G WMT account and they are separate accounts (which I did years ago). The other has no WMT account yet.

I have several other websites that are simply domain names for sale in many different fields and consist only of 1-3 pages.

In Y, I have one account for my main website.

I don't have any WMT account in MSN yet.

So.....should I consolidate all of my websites under my one main G WMT account and Y account?

When opening one up at MSN, should all be under one or would it be best to use 2 or 3 separate accounts?

I was thinking, knowing how "evil" G is, that if one may put all of their sites under one account G will think "Ohhh, he's already got one website in the index, he doesn't need anymore, so let's delete the others". I don't really think that would be the case as much in Y or MSN, but I still should ask. Remember that 3 of the sites are the same general field, but one of them is one product/service specific.

Thanks guys.

Clint,
You are simply OVERTHINKING this one! Google is not looking at the number of sites one has and determining that you already "have enough ranked." Remember that their business is selling ads, period. Everything they offer revolves around that. So in their search results, they want to provide the most RELEVANT results to the public's searches. So to get properly ranked, your websites should be RELEVANT. However, if all your sites are pretty much a copy of the other, Google may in fact decide it only needs to show one... not because YOU already have "enough" ranked, but because they have a much better shot of giving the end user something relevant if there are multiple choices, not all the same site.
Simply consolidate your accounts and stop worrying!
Ed

[FoundByDesign]

Originally Posted by Doc

It does raise the question though...do you give your clients access to view their account? I don't, as I compile my own reports for them. I'm not even sure whether or not GWT allows passworded, limited access to just one site's data...I would imagine so. If not, that might be a good reason to separate them.

Not only can you grant limited access in Google, but you can also set up email reports that can be sent to whomever you wish. So if once a week is ok with a client, simply set up the weekly reports to be emailed to them and they may never need access!

Adding users to Analytics Account
https://www.google.com/support/googl...n_US&utm_id=ad

About Google Analytics profiles
https://www.google.com/support/googl...n_US&utm_id=ad

Emailing reports
Can Google Analytics email my reports to me? - Analytics Help

That should get you started!
Ed

[Clint1]

Originally Posted by FoundByDesign

Clint,
You are simply OVERTHINKING this one! Google is not looking at the number of sites one has and determining that you already "have enough ranked." Remember that their business is selling ads, period. Everything they offer revolves around that.

But I don't buy ads. So is that saying I, and my sites, would be treated differently than those of ad buyers?

So in their search results, they want to provide the most RELEVANT results to the public's searches. So to get properly ranked, your websites should be RELEVANT.

I don't believe that, but that's a topic for another thread.

However, if all your sites are pretty much a copy of the other, Google may in fact decide it only needs to show one... not because YOU already have "enough" ranked, but because they have a much better shot of giving the end user something relevant if there are multiple choices, not all the same site.
Simply consolidate your accounts and stop worrying!
Ed

No, they are all different.

Thanks.

[FoundByDesign]

As far as I am aware, Google's main (if not only) source of revenue is from PPC advertising. As their reputation is built on providing the best results, they are continuing to refine their results to give the end user (and potential adword clicker) the best results possible so that people continue to use Google for search and thereby are more likely to click on Google's ads. That means that Google's goal is to provide the most relevant results it can in relation to the user's search request. Is this perfect? No. All the major players are looking at ways to perfect this, but overall that is their goal.

This means that each one of your websites will be judged on their own merit. How relevant is the content of the site to the searcher's request? Compared to other sites Google has found that are relevant, which ones are they estimating to be MOST relevant? Is your site very similar to another that has more content or has been around longer (or has more incoming links which Google feels makes a site more relevant)? Then that other site may rank higher than yours. It does not matter if your site contains ads or not. Its all about the content.

There is only 1 #1 spot. Everyone is after it... only 1 at a time can hold it. Those that have been around for a long time, keep their content updated and relevant and have been linked to by many other relevant sites will maintain higher rankings. This means that newer sites have to work twice as hard to get there.

Sure some will game the system and use every black hat in the book. They will get ranked high for a while and then eventually drop out. They then start all over with another site. In my opinion, if they applied white hat theory and worked as hard as they do with black hat theory, they would not only get to the top, but stay there! But then again, those that take shortcuts always seem to work twice as hard to get where they want to go!

Bottom line in GWT... How many websites you "manage" is irrelevant. And GWTs is a place to manage the analytics of websites... does not guarantee that you actually own each site.

[Clint1]

Originally Posted by FoundByDesign

Bottom line in GWT... How many websites you "manage" is irrelevant. And GWTs is a place to manage the analytics of websites...

I have to try and ignore your first 4 paragraphs since I have loads of evidence to the contrary (that's why I said it's a topic for a different thread ), but your last paragraph quoted above is what's important here. Thanks Ed.

....does not guarantee that you actually own each site.

I'm confused by that. You have to verify you're the owner of a site before it can be added in G WMT, so who else can verify a site other than the site owner?

[FoundByDesign]

Originally Posted by Clint1

I have to try and ignore your first 4 paragraphs since I have loads of evidence to the contrary (that's why I said it's a topic for a different thread ), but your last paragraph quoted above is what's important here. Thanks Ed.



I'm confused by that. You have to verify you're the owner of a site before it can be added in G WMT, so who else can verify a site other than the site owner?

You're welcome! I'd love to see that other discussion when you are ready.

As to the "ownership" part of GWT, I honestly think they have their wording incorrect. After all, you may not be the owner, but be the webmaster/designer and have access to add the html file or meta tag code to show "ownership." So while you can "prove ownership" to Google by adding an html file or meta tag on a website, that in fact does not guarantee that you are the actual owner of the website. And with all the high IQ's running around at Google, I am going to assume they understand that small detail.

[Clint1]

Originally Posted by FoundByDesign

You're welcome! I'd love to see that other discussion when you are ready.

No you wouldn't! ROTFLMAO. They're all over the place around here going back years, each time I talk about it cuts years off my life. So going by that, I should have been dead years ago. (Hee hee).

As to the "ownership" part of GWT, I honestly think they have their wording incorrect. After all, you may not be the owner, but be the webmaster/designer and have access to add the html file or meta tag code to show "ownership." So while you can "prove ownership" to Google by adding an html file or meta tag on a website, that in fact does not guarantee that you are the actual owner of the website. And with all the high IQ's running around at Google, I am going to assume they understand that small detail.

True, exactly, I gotcha.

[FoundByDesign]

LOL. I am not one to get into arguments when it comes to SEO. Since SEO is more theory than exact science, I am always open to hearing others theories, even if I disagree with them.

IMHO, ALL theories have some bit of truth to them, even the theory of evolution. However, I don't subscribe to all theories just because a hint of truth may be there. But an open mind never hurt!

[Clint1]

Originally Posted by chrisJumbo

.....However, I know people that like to push the limits and test various theories for linking, ranking, etc. For that reason, they have multiple accounts so that if one gets slapped it won't bring unwanted attention to the other sites.

That's sort of what I meant, along the general lines of what I was asking, and perhaps how I should have worded it, how's this:

However, I know people that are totally white-hat, do absolutely nothing wrong, etc., yet get trashed by G. For that reason, they have multiple accounts so that if one gets slapped it won't bring unwanted attention to the other sites.

Is that a valid concern? Off and on, off and on, I've had EACH of my legit, unique, totally white-hat sites trashed from the G index for absolutely no reason other than yet another one of their algo f-ups. So that was my main reason for starting this thread. My concern is (not IF but WHEN) that happens again, I'm concerned that any other site on the same login account would also get trashed. Is that possible, or only possible if one's site is deleted due to manual intervention and then potential "guilt by association"?

(BTW, I gave green to those of you that replied where I could. For those that I could not, it was because previously given. )

[Clint1]

Originally Posted by FoundByDesign

IMHO, ALL theories have some bit of truth to them, even the theory of evolution. However, I don't subscribe to all theories just because a hint of truth may be there. But an open mind never hurt!

(Well, most theories do, but not all, LOL. I'm reminded of theories such as Christ was an astronaut...... That deserves another one of these: ).

Yeah that's sort of like how I am. If you don't have an open mind, it's not as easy to learn new things.

[Tarzan2]

Clint1:
Based on everything you have said here and from what I remember reading from some of your other posts, I would suggest that with only 3 accounts you may want to keep them in separate accounts (just to be on the safe side). 3 accounts will not be too hard to handle.

Personally, I have my own web sites plus those belonging to others that I look after and I have consolidated all accounts. I have not had any issues with Google other than having them cancel my adsense account (probably because I never returned enough hits for them).

I agree that sometimes sites may fall out of favour with google for an unknown reason (they interpret something as blackhat that is something as innocent as having white text on a black background but using an image with white background and placing black text on it; thus making it look like black text on a black backgound). Nobody can be sure if they will tar all your sites with the same brush. So why not create individual accounts and not have to worry about that any more?

[Clint1]

Originally Posted by Tarzan2

Clint1:
Based on everything you have said here and from what I remember reading from some of your other posts, I would suggest that with only 3 accounts you may want to keep them in separate accounts (just to be on the safe side). 3 accounts will not be too hard to handle.

Is what you're saying there (and below) just for G, or for all three SE's?

Actually it wouldn't necessarily be 3 accounts. I currently have 2 different at G, but I have several more websites and several more to come. Like I said, most of these are few-page domain names for sale. So I'm also wondering if all of the domain names for sale could/should/should not be under one single account.

I agree that sometimes sites may fall out of favour with google for an unknown reason (they interpret something as blackhat that is something as innocent as having white text on a black background but using an image with white background and placing black text on it; thus making it look like black text on a black backgound). Nobody can be sure if they will tar all your sites with the same brush. So why not create individual accounts and not have to worry about that any more?

Yeah, that was exactly my concern and a good point. I was trying to possibly avoid having to have so many different logins. But if there is a chance all sites could be "tarred with the same brush", then separate is the logical way to go. That's just so many different accounts though in the area of the domain names for sale.

This brings up another question: just what is the advantage of having WM accounts at the SE's? I don't think there would be any advantage in having them for 1-3 page websites, right? But does the "verification"s done at each SE increase one's chances of getting each site indexed, or, indexed any better? That's a good question.

Thanks.

[Tarzan2]

Originally Posted by Clint1

Is what you're saying there (and below) just for G, or for all three SE's?

Actually it wouldn't necessarily be 3 accounts. I currently have 2 different at G, but I have several more websites and several more to come. Like I said, most of these are few-page domain names for sale. So I'm also wondering if all of the domain names for sale could/should/should not be under one single account.



Yeah, that was exactly my concern and a good point. I was trying to possibly avoid having to have so many different logins. But if there is a chance all sites could be "tarred with the same brush", then separate is the logical way to go. That's just so many different accounts though in the area of the domain names for sale.

This brings up another question: just what is the advantage of having WM accounts at the SE's? I don't think there would be any advantage in having them for 1-3 page websites, right? But does the "verification"s done at each SE increase one's chances of getting each site indexed, or, indexed any better? That's a good question.

Thanks.

Just like choosing your friends; nobody should TELL you what to do. You know the situation better than anyone else, so use your better judgement as to which sites you wish to lump together and which to isolate.

If you trust one search engine more than another, then use that factor in your deliberation as to how you interact with each of the engines.

I doubt very much that the 'validation' process will affect ranking. It does tell the engine that the site exists, so if there are no inbound links, it will allow the search engine to crawl the site. If it likes what it sees, it will be indexed and ranked; otherwise it will sit in the sandbox.

[Clint1]

Thanks for the input.

[FoundByDesign]

Originally Posted by Clint1

(Well, most theories do, but not all, LOL. I'm reminded of theories such as Christ was an astronaut...... That deserves another one of these: ).

Yeah that's sort of like how I am. If you don't have an open mind, it's not as easy to learn new things.

Gotta say, I have never heard that theory of Christ the Astronaut... LOL I agree, deserves

[ShiningRay]

Originally Posted by Jlee350

Sometimes it's a pain to remember all of the log-ins, but I typically use different accounts to make sure I don't pull data for the wrong client.

This is so true...you can get all confused with so many log-in information in your head.

[Clint1]

Originally Posted by FoundByDesign

Gotta say, I have never heard that theory of Christ the Astronaut... LOL I agree, deserves

Yeah I believe all that started back in the 70's with Erich Von Däniken and his "Chariots of the Gods" types of books. I don't remember if he was the one that actually started [that] particular "theory", or if it was due to numerous other books spawned by his original theory. Some of his theories, evidence, and books are not all that far-fetched and unbelievable, but if he or for whomever started that one about Christ was an astronaut, that's a bit too out there for me. Oh, and another one of these .

[Technotate]

Originally Posted by Clint1

One single webmaster account at G, Y & MSN for multiple websites; or different accounts for each of your websites?

I've been wondering about this for some time so I thought I would ask here. Is there any downside or disadvantage to having one single webmaster account at G, Y and MSN for all of one's websites, then just add your various sites under that one account login, or should each of your websites have a different account? Does it make absolutely no difference either way?

Thanks for any input.

Suggest you read the guidelines for account users if you opt to use independent accounts. Some sites expressly prohibit multiple accounts for users. Several years ago, for instance, I had opened two different Adwords accounts for different clients and we were notified that multiple accounts by owners is not allowed. (I think this response is on topic but I may be missing the point in the question, if so...disregard).

[Clint1]

Originally Posted by Technotate

Suggest you read the guidelines for account users if you opt to use independent accounts. Some sites expressly prohibit multiple accounts for users. Several years ago, for instance, I had opened two different Adwords accounts for different clients and we were notified that multiple accounts by owners is not allowed. (I think this response is on topic but I may be missing the point in the question, if so...disregard).

So are you only talking about AdWords accounts, or also about multiple G WMT accounts? I was only asking about the WMT account. (See my 1st post above). I haven't read any TOS about them with regards to more than one account, and others in this thread are doing it, but it could be possible that is prohibited and no one ever noticed that in the TOS.

[Clint1]

Originally Posted by Clint1

So are you only talking about AdWords accounts, or also about multiple G WMT accounts? I was only asking about the WMT account. (See my 1st post above). I haven't read any TOS about them with regards to more than one account, and others in this thread are doing it, but it could be possible that is prohibited and no one ever noticed that in the TOS.

^^ ? Are you there?

[mjtaylor]

Personally, I prefer to keep all my sites under separate accounts, whether they are mine personally or client sites. I can then give access to a client if needed, and while I don't quite share your dislike of or paranoia about Google, there is no reason for me to tell them what my network is.

[Clint1]

Originally Posted by mjtaylor

Personally, I prefer to keep all my sites under separate accounts, whether they are mine personally or client sites. I can then give access to a client if needed, and while I don't quite share your dislike of or paranoia about Google, there is no reason for me to tell them what my network is.

While there certainly is dislike, there is no "paranoia". Unless you can call not trusting them "paranoia". Thank you for the input.

[Technotate]

Originally Posted by Clint1

So are you only talking about AdWords accounts, or also about multiple G WMT accounts? I was only asking about the WMT account. (See my 1st post above). I haven't read any TOS about them with regards to more than one account, and others in this thread are doing it, but it could be possible that is prohibited and no one ever noticed that in the TOS.

Hi Clint1,
Actually, I was referring to Adsense in my post. I haven't taken the time to read any of the other TOS so I can't comment on those in particular.

Regards,
TechNotate

[Clint1]

Ok thanks.

[scoobsego]

Ye ye, what can I say this appears to arrange worked exceptionally positively

[innominds]

Most of the users prefer separate accounts but I would love to have a single account for multiple sites.

[Clint1]

Originally Posted by scoobsego

Ye ye, what can I say this appears to arrange worked exceptionally positively

[mjtaylor]

Originally Posted by Clint1

While there certainly is dislike, there is no "paranoia". Unless you can call not trusting them "paranoia". Thank you for the input.

M'bad. I didn't mean to put a label in your mouth ... sorry; it probably was the wrong term.

I suppose I would say, not trusting them is paranoia IFF the lack of trust comes from some sort of sense or belief that there is any malicious intent on Google's part. If your distrust comes from your perception of their incompetence as you expressed earlier, then no, that's not paranoia; that's disdain.