Exact match domain names, yes or no?

26 replies
I did a search but didn't come up with anything, so I'll ask here.

Are EMDs still a viable way select a domain name? If so/not what situations?

I'm having a bit of trouble deciding what to call a new review site.

Thanks!
#domain #exact #match #names
  • Profile picture of the author wolfmmiii
    No. You are 3-4 years too late....
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  • Profile picture of the author Ranksword
    Still works for low competition niches if you really have valuable content.
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  • Profile picture of the author Brent Stangel
    Makes no difference of any kind, at all.
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  • Profile picture of the author pietjeplukt
    it is always helpful to have some keyword(s) in your domain name, but exact match not at all needed, also depends on your long term goals for the domain
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  • Profile picture of the author writeaway
    Yes, they still work...

    For publishers that actually BUILD REAL sites.

    However, if you just want to 'snipe' keywords and stock it with weak or very thin content or, worst of all, duplicate content, you're better off running Tinder bots making $200 a sale off adult dating sites.

    Serious talk. Online publishing only works out for people who want to go all the way to success. This means investing the proper time and resources.
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  • Profile picture of the author ContentPro22
    Every one of my niche sites don't have an exact match domain for the target keyword- they're all on the first page of Google. Same for my authority sites. Spencer Haws of Niche Pursuits wrote a great article on the topic Goodbye Exact Match Domains, Hello Brandable Websites - Niche Pursuits

    Good luck.
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  • Profile picture of the author Omarkenawy
    The content is most important factor in terms of Seo and gaining credibility for your business.

    However there`s some benefits on exact matching domains
    Exact match domain names tend to rank higher for the specific keyword in the domain with little Seo efforts than any other websites on your niche

    Additionally, exact match domains names are very easy to remember, so first-time readers tend to come back again and again.
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  • Profile picture of the author GelidMind
    Based off my research it really doesn't matter much anymore. Maybe some years back, but once people caught on Google made some major changes to my understanding.
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  • Profile picture of the author rafoman
    Thanks for your input guys. I think I will use one keyword from my niche only and let the content do the rest. Never been a big fan of EMD but used them in the past to rank.
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  • Profile picture of the author Miguelito203
    Originally Posted by rafoman View Post

    I did a search but didn't come up with anything, so I'll ask here.

    Are EMDs still a viable way select a domain name? If so/not what situations?

    I'm having a bit of trouble deciding what to call a new review site.

    Thanks!
    Yeah, they still work, but it's not necessary. It's more about the on-page and off-page S.E.O. and the quality of the content that you provide more than anything else.

    Joey
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  • EMDs is good for avoiding overSEO since the keyword is the same as the domain name.
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    • Profile picture of the author Synnuh
      Originally Posted by pressreleaseagency View Post

      EMDs is good for avoiding overSEO since the keyword is the same as the domain name.
      Wait, whut?

      EMD is the easiest way to over-optimize.

      Go stick your keyword in the domain, title tag, H tags, a few times on the page, and then build a few links with it. See if you rank -- it won't. Not until you build up a LOT more trust for it.

      If you want to use EMDs, under-optimize the site. Target the homepage with another keyword, and mention your EMD on it. You'll rank, but not nearly as quickly as 3-4 years ago.

      Definitely watch your anchor texts with EMDs. It'd be interesting to see if you can rank 1 with no anchored links. You can do it with non-EMDs

      Originally Posted by Tom Addams View Post

      There's a lot of confusion on the issue. Let me clarify: the EMD update didn't target exact match domains; it targeted exact match domains with inadequate content. Historically, marketers have used EMDs to game Google. You wanted to rank for Pink Fluffy Bunny Wabbits? You bought PinkFluffyBunnyWabbits.com and received some extra ranking juice. The exploit is closed, but only to those webmasters/ marketers who are churning out weak content websites. An EMD, in principle, will never lose worth, since it's a practical, logical way of indexing. As a compromise, we had the EMD Update.

      Tom
      Quoted for truth. Target.com ranks for Target. Walmart for Walmart. They're all EMDs, but they're not being built by a marketer who's trying to over-optimize a commercial keyword. EMDs are just branded domains that the misfits took advantage of.
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      • Profile picture of the author discrat
        It helps to some degree. Particularly if you have a quality site to back it up.

        I have mostly concentrated on Branding, anymore. Which takes EMD out of the equation.


        - Robert Andrew
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  • Profile picture of the author Tom Addams
    There's a lot of confusion on the issue. Let me clarify: the EMD update didn't target exact match domains; it targeted exact match domains with inadequate content. Historically, marketers have used EMDs to game Google. You wanted to rank for Pink Fluffy Bunny Wabbits? You bought PinkFluffyBunnyWabbits.com and received some extra ranking juice. The exploit is closed, but only to those webmasters/ marketers who are churning out weak content websites. An EMD, in principle, will never lose worth, since it's a practical, logical way of indexing. As a compromise, we had the EMD Update.

    Tom
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  • Profile picture of the author Xochitl Shat
    Have a unique, good and valuable content ? If you have this kind of content it works for you.
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  • Profile picture of the author wolfmmiii
    The problem with them is that they very rarely instill any kind of confidence in the visitor. If I can rank a low competition term just as easily on a domain like PennsvilleSiding.com, why would I use something like cheapvinylsidinginpennsville.org?
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  • Profile picture of the author affiliatescott
    The value in Exact Match Domain as it relates to the keyword content on your site, is not so much SEO, but rather branding, image and confidence it may bring to a user on your site.
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    • Profile picture of the author wolfmmiii
      Originally Posted by affiliatescott View Post

      The value in Exact Match Domain as it relates to the keyword content on your site, is not so much SEO, but rather branding, image and confidence it may bring to a user on your site.
      EMD is probably the single worst way to do any sort of branding - at least in the way the typical IMer sees things.

      The EMD UnderwaterDigitalCameras.org is NOT a brandable entity.

      OceansideCameras.com is an EMD for a company called Oceanside Cameras and IS brandable.

      Unfortunately, most people on this forum somehow find the first domain name to be the better choice of the two.
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  • Profile picture of the author AMJ
    EMDs always help in setting up a great brand and placing it in front of customers who can relate to it
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    • Profile picture of the author wolfmmiii
      Originally Posted by AMJ View Post

      EMDs always help in setting up a great brand
      No. Absolutely not.
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    • Profile picture of the author Slade556
      Originally Posted by AMJ View Post

      EMDs always help in setting up a great brand and placing it in front of customers who can relate to it
      Nope, not the case anymore. Now you can brand yourself using anything you want, just look at GoDaddy. The domain name doesn't even make any sense! Yet, they are a big fat brand, and everyone knows about them.
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  • Profile picture of the author advent
    According do Google EMD Update, you can';t rank if you don't have Good Content. if you have a Unique Content with EMD may help you too tank.

    Google EMD - Exact Match Domain Update | Search Engine Land

    i had seen these for few of my competitors.

    Kind Regards
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  • Profile picture of the author humbledmarket
    Banned
    2012 - YES
    2015 - Probably not (Unless it's a short EMD)
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