Proof that tld isn't important! .info ranks above .com and Wikipedia

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31
Hey Warriors,

Here we often hear the debate over using certain tlds and rather or not google gives them more credit. I prefer using a keyword matched domain over a specific tld. Although I prefer .com, they are not always available, as was the case with this specific site. The .com was taken and the .net was for sale for like 2,000, and .org wasn't an option either. So I chose the .info tld.

I checked google today and was suprised to see that my new (few months) blog was ranked #1 for the main keyword above wikipedia, the .com version of my site and another very popular established site in the niche.

I have attached a screenshot for your viewing pleasure
#search engine optimization #important #info #proof #ranks #tld #wikipedia
  • Congrats on your ranking!

    I think that out of the box, .com .net and .org have more ranking power.

    But with enough on page optimization and backlinking a .info can definitely overtake them....

    It just goes to show you should always experiment...

    Mark.
  • When I search for coonhounds, the .info site is on the second page, #17 to be exact.
    • [3] replies
    • Coby, I like your Opt-In what service are you using?
      • [1] reply
    • Same here. Your rankings may be different if G knows that you have clicked on that site before. Sign out and try it again.
    • The same happens for me. And I'm searching on google.com and in the US.

      OP remeber to clear your cache! hehe
  • Coby,

    On my search (from Turkey) for coonhounds you are on page 2, number 9. Wikipedia is number 1, followed by coondawgs.com, then coonhounds.com.

    For the singular, coonhound, the first 2 results are the same and your site wasn't on the first two pages.

    Interesting that the results for singular and plural differ so much.


    Martin
    • [1] reply
    • Yes, .info is good extension and works very well for me as well, more suitable than any other extension. Most people already know that all the tld are equal as far as rankings are concerned, anyway, well done.
      • [ 1 ] Thanks
      • [1] reply
  • All other parameters being equal, the .com usually is favored more highly among search engines. Try checking your on page and off page SEO and domain age to get a more global perspective. Currently your site is in the Google dance. Be sure to keep your SEO efforts consistent and diversified over the long term so that your site doesn't get sandboxed.
    • [2] replies
    • Banned
      I also like .info's a lot, too.

      I often buy the .info and the .com and just redirect the .com to the .info which I use as my "main niche site" and for which I do all the SEO and so on. (I'm only buying the .com to make sure nobody else does, in other words).

      I did a big survey on all my lists a year ago, and asked people what they thought (because it's all too easy to "think like a marketer and ignore the customer perception") and the majority of people who expressed a preference (a big majority, in fact) said they strongly preferred to see ".info" on such sites.

      Indeed ... but some always prefer to believe the urban myths of network marketing.

      Sorry, this is completely wrong. Domain extensions simply don't affect SEO at all. According to Google, Matt Cutts, and any textbook you can buy on the subject. There are, though, a lot of myths and misunderstandings on the subject.
      • [ 2 ] Thanks
      • [1] reply
    • People always say the .com is better even though they can't prove it . . . Matt Cutts has been reported as saying otherwise . . .

      But I'm no expert
  • Yeah, I think you've been signed in at the time you took that screenshot and it was a personalized search.
  • Try turning off your personalized search. Your site is nowhere in my SERPS.
  • Alexa has the right idea. Choose a TLD that suits your niche and your audience's perception.

    The TLD won't affect your SEO abilities enough to really make a huge difference. A higher quality, more trusted, and more relevant site will beat out any site, regardless of tld.
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • Coby,

    Great stuff mate.
    I am in Australia and found you at #10 but of course we are not your target market. Dont even have raccoons here

    You could tell that by the stupid ads that Adsense was throwing up.

    Keep her going mate

    Craig
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
    • [1] reply
    • There has never been any doubt here. You can rank whatever you wish.
      It's what you do with it that counts. Sadly, there are still those
      who just don't care to believe the truth.

      prchecker.info has ruled the PageRank checker niche for years.

      Paul
      • [ 1 ] Thanks
      • [1] reply
  • I bought the .net and .org extensions of my keyword and put them online at the same time with different but comparable content, and comparable backlinks. The .org was in #1 place in a week (its an easy word), but it had to pass about three weeks for the .net to appear in the first page.
    I'm no expert, but this sounds to me that .org is favored.
  • Banned
    Your not on page #1


  • I don't know why there is a discrepancy among searches for others. I was not logged into Google at the time (in fact I rarely do log into google). I actually checked it the first thing this morning before.

    I don't know why it's showing up anywhere from #1 to #17 to who knows where depending on the person searching . . . :S

    I just checked again and it's still at #1 on my search so I don't know what is up...

    However, I do know that the rankings are different for the plural and singular version of the word and also when it is used as two words "coon hounds"...

    So I guess if you feel the need to hate and tell me my .info site sucks your welcome to your opinion . . .
  • yews really good this for me..
  • Coby,

    Google doesn't really let you opt-out of personalised search anymore. There are a couple of options you can use to quickly check your ranking, as per the general public.

    Scroogle.org is probably the quickest. It removes any personalisation and gives a pretty accurate representation of where you sit.

    Another way is to login to an Adwords account and use the Ad Preview tool. Set the location to an reasonable area for your expected target market and note the results.

    The best way to check is Google Webmaster Tools.

    It will give you a break down of where you sit on a range of Google data centers - as well as web, blog, news, images, video searches. You can even get an idea of the impressions you are getting in the search results to make a judgement on whether the keyword is worth any extra work or not.
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • I used the exact same keyword as in your picture but it says here you are #20. You might wanna use a rank checker instead of just searching on google (I never trust google) And as for the topic, I also think it doesn't make much of a difference yet the totally unknown tdls like .tk will probably not be favored. But then again thats just my thought. I have no proof on it.
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    Proof that tld isn't important! .info ranks above .com and Wikipedia

    Hey Warriors, Here we often hear the debate over using certain tlds and rather or not google gives them more credit. I prefer using a keyword matched domain over a specific tld. Although I prefer .com, they are not always available, as was the case with this specific site. The .com was taken and the .net was for sale for like 2,000, and .org wasn't an option either. So I chose the .info tld.