: SEO value of external root domains that use CNAME to point back to original domain I have DOMAIN A. A partner on DOMAIN B creates subdomain.DOMAIN-B.com. The subdomain is a CNAME record that

@BetL925

It is unclear whether Google even uses "number of linking root domains" as a metric in determining rankings. SEOMoz has found some correlation, but it is unclear that it is causative.

In any case, you appear to be wanting to use a link scheme for the purposes of boosting you rankings. Even if you were to get Google to recognize different domains that you link between, you would likely get penalized for having a "network of sites".

Spend your time creating a great site and amazing user experience rather than trying to game Google like this. Nobody knows how Google's algorithm is written at this level. Trying to beat the system is like playing with fire. Even if you find something that works, Google may adjust the algorithms and you'll be penalized.

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@Pope3001725

What's "a valid linking root domain"? It doesn't mean anything to me. A link is a link and that will count as a link. Now what will its value be? That will vary depending on lots of factors and being on the same IP address might be one of them. It's hard to say because in-and-of itself that doesn't mean anything. There can be thousands of websites sharing an IP address all of which have no relationship to each other. So other factors are probably put into place when considering whether there is a relationship between the two sites beyond a link. You can bet domain registrations will be reviewed. But in the end it's hard to say exactly what the ultimate value of that link will be.

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