Google stated in 2024 that it has systems that can treat a distinct site section more like a standalone site so it does not receive a ranking boost merely from the host site’s reputation.

Sources

• Updating our site reputation abuse policy | Google Search Central Blog

  Google · primary source · retrieved 2026-08-18

  “By treating these areas as if they are standalone sites, it better ensures a level playing field” — Paragraph on systems for independent site sections

• Google Site Reputation Abuse Policy Expands To First Party Involvement Or Content Oversight

  Search Engine Roundtable · retrieved 2026-08-18

  “so that sub-sections of sites don't get a ranking boost just because of the reputation of the main site” — Quoted passage from Google's blog post

• Google site reputation abuse policy now includes first-party involvement or oversight of content

  Search Engine Land · retrieved 2026-08-18

  “Google also reiterated that it has algorithms that may adjust the ranking of that content by not benefiting from the site-wide signals” — Section 'Different content from main site'

• Google Updates Site Reputation Abuse Policy: Key Changes Explained

  Peak Positions · retrieved 2026-08-18

  “Google has implemented advanced systems to treat sections of sites with starkly different content as standalone entities.” — Key changes summary