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Exact match domain experiment

by mrtrance
17 replies
  • SEO
    • |
I recently did an experiment with one of my keywords in that I started the first site using the exact match 3 word keyword (.org) and then 1.5 months later I started another started with same keyword + another word (.com this time) in the domain. I built both sites in the exact same way using the same on page SEO and off-page SEO (same number of backlinks, from same sites, # of articles submitted, etc.).

This keyword has a 6000/mo search volume according to GAKT.

The first site (.org) started on page 10 for first week, moved to page 2 by second week, and by end of 3rd week it was on page 1. Right now it is ranking #3. This site has been up for 5 months now.

The second site has been up for 3 months now and it made it to page 4 (within the first few weeks), but now has slipped back to page 7. It never made it to page 1. It's been hovering between pages 7-10 now for the last 1 month or so.

So I'm thinking that exact match keyword domain is the factor here in ranking me for my first site since both sites have same on-page or off-SEO page.

What do you guys think?
#domain #exact #experiment #match
  • Profile picture of the author thecableguy
    I've seen "keyword domains" rank on just having the keyword in the domain alone and no pages. Once I forgot to upload a site and it ranked on Google for a short time, it was on the second page by the time I remembered. It had absolutely no pages as I was waiting for it to propagate. Another person's site did the same thing and was on Google's 1'st page for at least 3 months, just a blank domain, I posted the link in another forum.

    Yes it's a very valid technique, but it works for the keyword you're targeting (in the domain) and not the entire site. It seems to work well on minisites. Numerous IM courses uses this technique.
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  • Profile picture of the author euhlir
    You're right on. The exact phrase domain in my opinion is the biggest factor to consider before starting a niche site.
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    • Profile picture of the author paulgl
      Domain has zero, zip, zilch to do with whether you can take a niche
      to the top. Each and every time I reply to these threads, I will come
      up with a new example. Bottom line, you can rank for ANYTHING
      using ANY domain you wish! In fact, I'd bet the catchier domain,
      the better.

      So, here goes this example:

      Question, what keyword do the following domains appear on the first
      page of google for?

      fxcm.com (#2 actually)
      fxclub.com
      babypips.com
      dailyfx.com

      In fact, that babypips.com ranks across the board for the niche.
      The keyword? Forex. Oh one could argue fx is short for forex,
      but do a search for fx. You get the fox network, FX.

      Now, do a search for forex exchange, and what is #1?
      (quotes or not quotes)
      fxstreet.com

      Notice how neither "forex" or "exchange" is NOT in the domain?

      Once again, I guess they did not get the memo on that domain
      thing.

      Pick whatever domain looks cool and run with it.

      Paul





      Paul
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      • Profile picture of the author mrtrance
        Paul,

        So what would you say is the reason why my exact match domain is doing so well and my other domain is not?


        Originally Posted by paulgl View Post

        Domain has zero, zip, zilch to do with whether you can take a niche
        to the top. Each and every time I reply to these threads, I will come
        up with a new example. Bottom line, you can rank for ANYTHING
        using ANY domain you wish! In fact, I'd bet the catchier domain,
        the better.

        So, here goes this example:

        Question, what keyword do the following domains appear on the first
        page of google for?

        fxcm.com (#2 actually)
        fxclub.com
        babypips.com
        dailyfx.com

        In fact, that babypips.com ranks across the board for the niche.
        The keyword? Forex. Oh one could argue fx is short for forex,
        but do a search for fx. You get the fox network, FX.

        Now, do a search for forex exchange, and what is #1?
        (quotes or not quotes)
        fxstreet.com

        Notice how neither "forex" or "exchange" is NOT in the domain?

        Once again, I guess they did not get the memo on that domain
        thing.

        Pick whatever domain looks cool and run with it.

        Paul





        Paul
        Signature

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        • Profile picture of the author CDarklock
          Originally Posted by mrtrance View Post

          So what would you say is the reason why my exact match domain is doing so well and my other domain is not?
          What are all the differences between the two sites?

          One or more of those is the reason.

          What we really need is a solid study of several domains done in this fashion. If you fired up twenty domains, ten exact and ten non-exact, at the same time and promoted all of them as identically as possible... we could compare results with some sort of vague statistical accuracy. But with just one pair of domains, it's purely anecdotal - just like all the stories of the domain name not being important.

          Nobody really bothers to test this out in a scientific fashion, because ultimately, it doesn't matter all that much. You come up with your own answer, and you use it, and amazingly it works. You get your results and you get your ranking and everything is fine.

          I'm betting that if we did a scientifically rigorous study across several thousand domains, we'd end up with a slight edge for the exact keywords in the domain. Probably single-digit percentage. Possibly even less than 1% - but I think it's probably more like a 3% to 5% edge. Enough to provide many case studies, but not enough to be compelling.
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      • Profile picture of the author thmgoodw
        I think you missed the OP's point completely.

        The point wasn't that you couldn't take a domain without your keyword in it to the top of google, the point was that it is usually much easier to do so. Meaning that you can often rank on the 1st page of google just for having your keyword in your domain with nothing else.



        Originally Posted by paulgl View Post

        Domain has zero, zip, zilch to do with whether you can take a niche
        to the top. Each and every time I reply to these threads, I will come
        up with a new example. Bottom line, you can rank for ANYTHING
        using ANY domain you wish! In fact, I'd bet the catchier domain,
        the better.

        So, here goes this example:

        Question, what keyword do the following domains appear on the first
        page of google for?

        fxcm.com (#2 actually)
        fxclub.com
        babypips.com
        dailyfx.com

        In fact, that babypips.com ranks across the board for the niche.
        The keyword? Forex. Oh one could argue fx is short for forex,
        but do a search for fx. You get the fox network, FX.

        Now, do a search for forex exchange, and what is #1?
        (quotes or not quotes)
        fxstreet.com

        Notice how neither "forex" or "exchange" is NOT in the domain?

        Once again, I guess they did not get the memo on that domain
        thing.

        Pick whatever domain looks cool and run with it.

        Paul





        Paul
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        Masters Powerlifting
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      • Profile picture of the author AverageGuy
        you can give millions examples, but still, you can not draw this conclusion.

        david


        Originally Posted by paulgl View Post

        Domain has zero, zip, zilch to do with whether you can take a niche
        to the top.
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        • Profile picture of the author bbncu
          In my experience, same thing...EDM or exact domain name for your keyword is the winner...you will also need lesser backlinks to rank as compared to the other ones...
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  • Profile picture of the author clickbump
    Originally Posted by mrtrance View Post

    So I'm thinking that exact match keyword domain is the factor here in ranking me for my first site since both sites have same on-page or off-SEO page.

    What do you guys think?
    Bingo!

    If there is a "secret" weapon in this game, EMD is a bunker busting bomb...
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    • Profile picture of the author noobie
      Originally Posted by clickbump View Post

      Bingo!

      If there is a "secret" weapon in this game, EMD is a bunker busting bomb...

      What is EMD?
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      • Profile picture of the author freezzo
        "EMD" = Exact Match Domain. Basically take your keyword and turn it into a domain, not extra words or fluff.
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        • Profile picture of the author paulgl
          Getting your keyword domain on page 4 with nothing else
          is useless. Getting your keyword rich domain #1 on page one
          would take a lot of doing. And the domain name would have
          nothing to do with it.

          Here's my latest example: sidestep.com
          It's a PR6 site, ranks high for good keywords.
          It is neither about sides or steps. In fact, you would never
          guess what the website's about without looking.

          Paul
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  • Profile picture of the author papagiorgio
    I've got a few exact match .orgs on the first page of google right now that i have posted zero content to. The only thing on there is the skeleton and typical site pages (contact, about, etc). I've got another sitting at #3 with only a 300 word post. This site is an exact match .org. I haven't done any back linking to these domains at all.

    Anyone who tells you that it doesn't matter is providing misinformation. For micro niches it can be argued that an exact match domain is one of the most important factors get getting an initial high rank.

    The argument above saying that EMD doesn't matter uses Forex for its argument. It is my understanding that this is one of the most competitive niches, and could hardly be considered a micro niche.
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  • Profile picture of the author SPress
    It's a technique that appears to have a lot of impact for micro niches, as in ones that would be easy to rank for regardless, but for competitive terms, it has very little comparative significance.
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    • Profile picture of the author HCLee
      That's an interesting experiment. I've always believed having exact match keyword in your domain is key to good search engine ranking but more so for micro niche sites as I'm seeing that too for my new niche sites. It would be interesting to know the strength of competition for this keyword too if you have it. It's the first time someone actually experimented it so thanks for sharing your test results.
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      • Profile picture of the author mrtrance
        MNF indicates a SOC of 33 and keyword in quotes is 19,000.

        I then started another site with another keyword in the niche that has SOC of 28 and 23,000 in quotes. I was able to get the exact match .org domain, but so far it has only been able to get to page 4 of the SERPs. I've built a good amount of backlinks to it as well, but not much movement in SERPs.

        It goes to show you that you can't just rely on the SOC to determine competition. You need to take a look at the top 10 to understand how competitive the niche is and whether you can get on the 1st page even with EMD.



        Originally Posted by HCLee View Post

        That's an interesting experiment. I've always believed having exact match keyword in your domain is key to good search engine ranking but more so for micro niche sites as I'm seeing that too for my new niche sites. It would be interesting to know the strength of competition for this keyword too if you have it. It's the first time someone actually experimented it so thanks for sharing your test results.
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    • Profile picture of the author kkchoon
      Originally Posted by SPress View Post

      It's a technique that appears to have a lot of impact for micro niches, as in ones that would be easy to rank for regardless, but for competitive terms, it has very little comparative significance.
      Yes, very true, even if you want to build authority sites, the domain still plays some advantages here...

      Other factors like:

      1. Title
      2. content
      3. page name
      4. bolding the font

      All these add up to some boost for your site. The main factor is still backlinks.
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