Dedicated IP address and google

I was recommended to get a dedicated IP address with my site because I was told that if you share the same IP address with sites that might be penalized or banned by Google, it can affect your site as well if it is shared on that IP address.

I got the separate IP address with HostGator. However, I am still on the same server with other sites that might be bad. Do I need to be on a separate server too? Or will it not affect me if some of those sites have been penalized if I am on a separate IP address?

This is an area where there is quite a bit of debate.

With regards to IP or completely seperate server the Search Engines will not be able to tell the difference between whether you are on a shared or dedicated server if you have a dedicated IP addrees so you are OK in that respect.

Considering that 99% of web sites are on a shared server it seems that tarring all with the same brush is a little harsh. I have had a site that was on a shared server that got black listed and I didn't see any negative effects in rankings. It also did not show as a black listed domain.

Now if you were inter linking on that server or linking to other sites on that server that were considered bad then you might suffer but for the most part I don't think you need to worry.

You should be fine.

I had a site on a shared ip, and didn't suffer at all as far as Google ranking. I did however suffer when it came to being accessible in China and some other countries. As soon as I moved it to a dedicated IP, I was available to China visitors.

It's safe to stay away from shared IP's.