Do domains with dash (-)

by 21 replies
24
Hello,
Do domains with dash (-) give some effects in SEO?
For example,

How the different between cheapgolfball.com and cheap-golf-ball.com in term of search engine optimization

Lets say i want to rank for "cheap golf ball" keyword, which domain name give more effects in SEO as well as rankings, with dash or no dash?
Thanks in advance!
#search engine optimization #dash #domains
  • we use these when we are unable to find our desire name . and - not hep in SEO any how
  • Look at this screen shot - and notice how the exact match domain with hyphens can rank for the term 'free flash games' (very competitive) on the first page of Google without nearly as many backlinks as the sites either side.

    Screen shot here: http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images...ashgamesp.jpg/

    Of course, there are other factors - maybe the other on page SEO and backlink anchor text is more optimised for this keyword. However, I think it also demonstrates that exact match domains with hyphens are still very effective.


  • I my suggestion without dash (-) will be better for google ranking.
    • [1] reply
  • I've hated domains with dashes with a passion for years now, but I'm starting to change my opinion as I see more and more evidence that you can get an EMD advantage even if you have dashes in your domain.
    • [1] reply
    • I'm starting to notice this myself as I'm doing research. There are plenty of dash domains ranking high for niche keywords. I used to lean towards avoiding dashes. But lately I've been changing my stance on this.
      • [1] reply
  • I came across research in a training a year or so ago, where just about every on-page SEO variable was analyzed over millions of queries.

    It showed that a domain name with exact match to main keyword with no hyphens or any punctuation or extra words does significantly better than exact match with "extras".

    That said, domain name is just one of many factors, so if the ideal domain is not available you can compensate with other on-page SEO factors, and more high quality backlinks.
  • I would take Jack Chase's example with a grain of salt simply because we are unaware of the quality and relevance of those backlinks, and the quality and relevance of backlinks outweigh the quantity BY A LONG SHOT. However, I do believe that having a dash would have some effect on seo.
    SEO is so complicated and complex that even the slightest thing could have a significant effect.

    I wouldn't worry about a dash is a URL making or breaking you though, because it really does not make a noticeable difference when put into perspective with the content, on page seo, and backlinks that a site would have.
    it just makes the website url look a bit awkward.
    • [1] reply
    • Yes - I completely agree (that's why I said there are also other factors to consider).

      What I meant was that I believe a domain which contains the keywords searched for has SEO benefits whether there are hyphens between them or not.

      Would it have ranked higher if the domain has the same key phrase but without hyphens? E.g. keyphrasehere.com instead of key-phrase-here.com. I'm not sure, but I expect the difference would not be that significant if there was one at all.
      • [1] reply
  • if going for branding stay away from a dash, if using as a traffic source dash will be ok.
    Ranking is better without the dash

    cheers
    Arturo
    • [1] reply
    • Why would a dash matter for SEO in a domain?

      That's like asking what does the letter "z" do in a domain?

      People forget what SEO actually stands for.

      So many myths, nonsense, feelings...

      Paul
  • As far as I know the dash does nothing for you, beyond helping you get certain words on a domain name. Sometimes I use it, sometimes I don't, and some others I just go for whatever clever name I like and care little if it s an EMD or not. Don't be fooled, any domain can be placed at top of any keyword with the right effort.

    Always evaluate your own findings, IM is a bit of a trial and error thing that you will get used to. It takes time, practice and a lot of judgement.
  • Thank you all for your help!
  • I tend to prefer domain names with dashes, but this blog article from SEOmoz suggests that exact match domains correlate better than exact match hyphenated domains

    www[dot]seomoz[dot]org/blog/exact-match-domains-are-far-too-powerful-is-their-time-limited
    • [1] reply
    • My current testing currently shown that domain without hypen/dash rank better than one that use hypen/dash.

      Here's my testing:
      http://www.konsultan-seo-indonesia.com (launch on late January 2011, hostgator host)

      http://www.konsultanseoindonesia.com (launch late May 2011, host on blogspot, currently only consist of one article)

      target keyword:
      konsultan seo
      seo indonesia
      konsultan seo indonesia

      both are highly on-page optimized (title, url, h1,h2,h3,alt images, keyword on top and bottom of the pages)

      now, if i check from Google... the second have better ranking...

      secondly, if i broad search with my target keyword... i don't see any dashed keyword listed...

      i was focus on the dashed domain first... but it come out with little result...

      we might start the discussion from here...
  • Personally I would go with the abcdefghijklmno.net domain, but if all other on-page and off-page SEO in done well, I don't expect that there will be much of a difference between the two to be honest.
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