Matt Cutts, Google webmaster anti-spam expert, filmed a very worthwhile video on domain names.
He covers utilising a more ‘brandable’ domain name as opposed to using a keyword-rich domain name.
Of course, before I cover ‘DeJuicing’, allow me to describe the main difference between a brand domain name or a keyword-rich web address…
A ‘brand’ domain might be, for example, Facebook.com. The expression ‘Facebook’ is a ‘made up’ term, if you will, which has no particular significance, besides the business it signifies. Facebook’s business is a Social Networking internet site, however the domain obviously does not have the words ‘social network’ in it.
So if the question what are blogs are posed in connection to internet domain names, it should be stated that there is actually virtually no difference. Weblogs are just an alternative type of web-site and the domain scoring is equal.
In contrast, a keyword-rich domain name is as the name implies. It’s a domain that contains search phrases that you may or may not get ranking for in the Search Engines. An illustration could be buycellphones.net, where the keyphrases ‘cell phones’ and ‘buy cell phones’ are naturally part of the domain name.
Experts agree it is basically well-known within the SEO (search engine optimization) industry that search phrases inside the domain name will get a search rankings boost from Google.
So in the preceding illustration of ‘buycellphones.net’, whenever all other ranking components were identical (they hardly ever are certainly) then I should have a search rankings benefit for the search term ‘buy cell phones’ simply because that particular search phrase is contained in my domain.
At the moment it appears that this could change. At the end of the video Matt Cutts states that Google may possibly reduce the ranking advantage of keyword-rich domain names by ‘adjusting the mix’, as Cutts puts it.
What’s fascinating is Cutts doesn’t state they intend to take away the ranking benefit. He suggests that they could change it slightly.
Just what exactly does this imply for site owners as well as Search Engine Specialists?
As is more often than not the case with Google, who knows for sure??
Google has implemented several changes in their ranking algorithm recently to address spam, low quality internet pages as well as enhance the all around search experience for their users.
At least one recognizable benefit for decreasing the keyword domain benefit is it should prevent small-scale, crappy websites from seeking to grab a top search engine position for a keyword/keyphrase by way of placing said keyword inside of the domain name. Inside of my very own weblog building training course, I cover how to set up a blog for the search engines because they will last long-term if done right.
Google has made strides within the last few several years in this topic however I’ve still seen instances of smaller low quality websites ranking well merely by putting the key word in the domain name and generating a few internet pages to the site. I ought to note that this commonly occurs when working with a keyword which has little competition, particularly backlinks-wise.
Just What Exactly Is The Next Step? Employ a Keyword Domain Name or possibly a Brandable Domain?
There’s no one set remedy here. When you’re creating a internet site intended for the long-haul and plan to build brand identity then I wouldn’t be concerned about utilizing a key word in the domain address.
However, when you’ve got a significant key word that identifies and/or promotes your business’ identity and you’re able to integrate that keyword into the brand then by all means do it. Look at it like a added bonus. You were able to make the keyword a part of the brand and that can certainly help.
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