Google's AutoSuggest and Singular vs. Plural Domains

by Anna_O
2 replies
Hi all,
I recently launched a site that is an exact match keyword domain, but it is the singular version of the keyword. (For example, think dogtoy.com versus dogtoys.com).

The plural keyword gets a lot more traffic but is a heck of a lot more competitive. So I chose the singular keyword which still gets good traffic, but is much less competitive.

Now I am finding that when you go to Google and type in the keyword in the new Google auto-suggest search box, it automatically "thinks" for the user and populates in the more frequently searched term - the plural version.

If searchers start typing the keyword and then just click on Google's suggestion, they are going to get the results for the plural keyword, and my site does not show on P.1 like it does for the singular keyword.

This does not look good for me and my singular keyword domain. Any thoughts on if there is anything I can do to help in this situation - other than try to rank for the plural version (which is going to be costly in time and money).

Thanks,
Anna
#autosuggest #domains #google #plural #singular
  • Profile picture of the author Dunder
    I think using Google's auto-suggest as a means of keyword research is becoming a vital part of your keyword research.
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    Don't worry, be happy.

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  • Profile picture of the author Open Cobra
    I always like to remind myself that I can only control what I do, not what other people (or companies) do. You can't control Google. You can't control what other people do while they're searching. You can only control what you do.

    With that said, you really have 4 choices.

    1. Drop the campaign completely if you don't think you'll get any traffic.
    2. Try to rank well for the singular keyword and see what happens.
    3. Try to rank well for the plural keyword and see what happens.
    4. Try to rank well for both singular and plural keywords and see what happens.

    Depending on the traffic numbers, I would probably go with number 4. Although Google auto-suggest could lower the numbers, I don't think it will eliminate all traffic for the singular keyword. I don't use auto-suggest very much so I'm sure there are others too.

    Plus, if you rank on Page 1 for the singular, it will be much easier for you to rank for the plural. Just my 2 cents.
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