Dumb SEO Questions

(Entry was posted by Artur Palvanov on this post in the Dumb SEO Questions community on Facebook, 07/08/2014).

Does Google check domain`s Whois details?

Good day colleagues!

Does Google check domain`s Whois details as part of search rankings? 

For example - if 2 websites hold top rankings in the same category in a local market. Website A ranks #1. Website B ranks #2. 

Company A buys Company B. Now Website A and Website B are owned by the same person / company (and both domains` Whois information becomes the same)

What will Google do if 2 top ranking website in the same market are owned by the same person or company?

Is it safer to have a `Private` domain registration?

Do privately registered domains affect SEO rankings??
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YOUR ANSWERS

Selected answers from the Dumb SEO Questions Facebook & G+ community.

  • Artur Palvanov: Good day colleagues!

    Does Google check domain's Whois details as part of search rankings? ;

    For example - if 2 websites hold top rankings in the same category in a local market. Website A ranks #1. Website B ranks #2. ;

    Company A buys Company B. Now Website A and Website B are owned by the same person / company (and both domains' Whois information becomes the same)

    What will Google do if 2 top ranking website in the same market are owned by the same person or company?

    Is it safer to have a 'Private' domain registration?

    Do privately registered domains affect SEO rankings?
  • Edwin Jonk: Personally I asked this question too at the our expert panel, and the answer is no. Maybe they look at it with regard to manual action but I don't think they do in general.

    On the other hand there is a patent that does look at the whois data, namely the expiration date [1]. However one of the inventors clearly stated that it is not being used:

    Is the time left before your domain registration expires an SEO factor? ;

    [1] ;http://www.seobythesea.com/2011/10/revisiting-googles-information-retrieval-based-upon-historical-data/
  • Artur Palvanov: Thanks Edwin.

    Do you know if Google is actively engaging in 'manual action' when it comes to top ranking domains?
  • Tim Capper: I agree with +Edwin Jonk ;the only time i reckon they would look at this is when they are looking at manual action
  • Edwin Jonk: From the expert panel in this weeks SEO Questions hangout on air on 01:44:13 into the YouTube video: https://dumbseoquestions.com/q/does_google_check_domains_whois_details +Artur Palvanov

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  • Artur Palvanov: Thanks for the answer John Britsios.

View original question in the Dumb SEO Questions community on Facebook, 07/08/2014).

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