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How Long the Domain is Registered Affects SEO? (like domain age)

by Mark Brian
12 replies
  • SEO
    • |
A friend of mine who is an SEO expert (I've seen his sites rank well) says that the number of years a domain is registered affects SEO (like domain age, except the future value).

For example, if I register a domain today for July 2010 until July 2015, it will perform better than a domain registered for July 2010 until July 2011. Not sure if this is common knowledge but it's the first time I've heard of it. What do you think of this?
#affects #age #domain #long #registered #seo
  • Profile picture of the author lcombs
    That's a new one on me.
    I've had some very good success with SEO and have always registered domains for 1 year at a time with auto-renewal.
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  • Profile picture of the author Shardul Doshi

    I have a 9 year old registered domain, and I didnt see any advantage in SEO. I dont think it actually helps. If you have a website on that domain since 9 years, then it will help, but just an old domain wont.
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  • Profile picture of the author hmigroupllc
    Age is a factor, but age alone is nothing.
    If you register a domain today that is the same focus of a domain 2 years old, you start off ranked lower.
    But if you fill it with content, generate backlinks, bring a lot of traffic, and organize it well - and the 2 year old domain remains static, then you will out rank it.

    So don't pay more for a domain name just because it's aged. I would look to see how much residual traffic it has, and how much value you can add to the domain quickly.

    Bottomline is, if anyone was so concerned about domain age as a primary factor, then old domains would sell like hotcakes. Ever see a new product on an old domain?

    Sure it's happened, but its far more important to match your product name with the domain name then to have age.

    You're doing great
    Stay well

    Wayne Sharer
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  • Profile picture of the author Joseph Then
    I remembered someone did a test and reported that a domain that is newly registered for 5 years ranked better than a newly registered domain name for 1 year.
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    • Profile picture of the author bgmacaw
      Based on my testing across several domains I've not found the length of registration to have any impact at all on SEO performance.

      In fact, I seriously doubt that Google considers this at all algorithmically. Why? Because they retain deindex penalties after the offending domain has expired and been deleted from the ICANN database.

      For example, lets say in 2008 somebody bought the domain cheappurplewidgets.com and put a BANS (Build A Niche Store) script on it. Google deindexed the domain as they typically do with this script. The owner let the domain drop in 2009. Now, today, you go to your favorite registrar and notice that cheappurplewidgets.com is available and you buy it. It looks 'new' but it has a bad history and you'll have a tough time getting it indexed again, even if you register it for 2-5-10 years or even file a reinclusion request.
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    • Profile picture of the author hmigroupllc
      Originally Posted by Joseph Then View Post

      I remembered someone did a test and reported that a domain that is newly registered for 5 years ranked better than a newly registered domain name for 1 year.

      I'm sure you've done other terrific research into this, but with only the condition you state, it doesn't stand on its own.

      Without knowing the other factors comparing the 2 domains, the age thing doesn't bear much weight.

      What other comparable and contrasting conditions existed?

      I stand strongly, as do others, that age, on it's own is not a major factor.

      Stay well

      Wayne Sharer
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      • Profile picture of the author Kay King
        Several years ago it was widely discussed that a domain registered for more than one year could have an effect on google rank. As I recall, that rumor came from google or Cutts or somewhere like that.

        I've never seen proof of it - without proof it's just a rumor...and an old one at that.

        However, google does value age of site. If you consider the number of blogs/sites built and then quickly abandoned, you'll understand why site age is a consideration.

        kay
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      • Profile picture of the author Joseph Then
        Originally Posted by hmigroupllc View Post

        I'm sure you've done other terrific research into this, but with only the condition you state, it doesn't stand on its own.

        Without knowing the other factors comparing the 2 domains, the age thing doesn't bear much weight.

        What other comparable and contrasting conditions existed?

        I stand strongly, as do others, that age, on it's own is not a major factor.
        I said someone did a test.
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  • Profile picture of the author David Jackson
    Originally Posted by Mark Brian View Post

    A friend of mine who is an SEO expert (I've seen his sites rank well) says that the number of years a domain is registered affects SEO (like domain age, except the future value).

    For example, if I register a domain today for July 2010 until July 2015, it will perform better than a domain registered for July 2010 until July 2011.
    I've heard conflicting stories on this, so I set out to get my own answers. I presented my conclusions in an article titled Domain Age: Does it Really Matter When it Comes to Rankings?

    David Jackson
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  • Profile picture of the author BlazingSwitch
    I personally think that it used to be more important than it is today.

    I have registered some domains for new sites, and within 1-3 months have them on the first pages for relevant KW. It may be nice to anchor your network, but ultimately your networks or sites will rise and fall based on updates, and content.
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  • Profile picture of the author Simon Johnson
    Originally Posted by Mark Brian View Post

    A friend of mine who is an SEO expert (I've seen his sites rank well) says that the number of years a domain is registered affects SEO (like domain age, except the future value).
    I remember hearing this 10+ years ago. At the time I thought there might be something in it, now I believe its a myth. We own quite a few domains that have been registered for more than 10 years and have seen no noticeable difference.

    There are many other factors aside from domain age, that impact upon your ranking. I wouldn't pay it much attention. Focus on the "on and off page" factors. Domain age is a distraction (for now anyway). :-)
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