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Keyword Formatting for URL

by saganator
9 replies
  • SEO
    • |
I just bought a partial match domain that I plan on developing into an authority site and was wondering about keywords and URL formats.

Prob overanalyzing a bit here, but has anyone noticed a disconnect between the keywords before the domain suffix and the keywords afterward?

For example, which of the following URL formats would rank better for the search term 'car insurance for gorillas', assuming they were the only ranking factors in play?

carinsurancefor.com/gorillas/

vs.

carinsurancefor.com/car-insurance-for-gorillas/

The focus niche keyword phrases all have the same three words as a prefix ([blank] [blank] for), with a good number of topics for the fourth word, so I registered a domain with just blank blank for before the suffix, and I plan on targeting a page for each topic.
#formatting #keyword #url
  • Profile picture of the author tobi1kanoby
    Your best option is to get the exact keyword in the domain, but if that is impossible, I believe an exact match of the blog post url will be much more effective.
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  • Profile picture of the author Derek Pankaew
    I think you're better off focusing your attention on things that matter way more than the specific keyword phrases in the URL. Like the quality of your content or the backlink strategy.

    IMO the words in your URL count for a fraction of a percent of what actually makes a difference.
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    • Profile picture of the author LOWESTCOSTWIRELESS
      Interesting,

      In my experience, the domain name rules, so having your main keyword in domain is more important than content to start, but of course, content has to be solid if you want any chance of getting on top of search engines. Then comes aging, new sites are not going to get on top as easily as we would all like, it takes a balanced approach, no one thing is magic.

      Success to all,
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      • Profile picture of the author paulgl
        Originally Posted by LOWESTCOSTWIRELESS View Post

        Interesting,

        In my experience, the domain name rules, so having your main keyword in domain is more important than content to start,
        So...............you came to warriorforum.com for......um..............
        Pity when they started this little forum they did not get that
        memo. They'd have been so much more successful...

        Man if that was the way the big boys picked domains, we'd be
        done. Cuz they're all gone. So, the big boys do different things.
        Like a kick-butt new dating site called zoosk.com. Real estate
        wannabe chose zillow.com....travel chose kayak.com.......

        Paul
        Signature

        If you were disappointed in your results today, lower your standards tomorrow.

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  • Profile picture of the author stevet563
    I think that good, relavent content, a good product and fantastic service outweighs doamin names every time. The shorter the domain name the better. Long domains are easily miss spelled and harder to remember. Try a catchy name or something funny people will remember. ApeInc.com, SafeMunk.com, ect...
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    Highly skilled, professional, passionate and experienced web designer For Hire.

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    • Profile picture of the author saganator
      Thanks for the replies, but you guys kinda sound like Matt Cutts. :rolleyes: I know the effect formatting and placement of keywords in the URL is largely overshadowed by good content and other ranking factors, but if there is a tangible benefit to doing it one way or the other it's worth it. It takes about two seconds.

      Does anyone here have first-hand experience in whether formatting the domain as follows: keyword1keyword2keyword3.com/keyword4 will give a boost in rankings for the search term 'keyword1 keyword2 keyword3 keyword4' similar to the effect of an exact match domain, or should I just go with domain.com/keyword1-keyword2-keyword3-keyword4/
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  • Profile picture of the author papamo44
    Go for the latter. I have had success ranking sites with the exact match keyword after the main url
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  • Profile picture of the author JammerJones
    Originally Posted by saganator View Post

    I just bought a partial match domain that I plan on developing into an authority site and was wondering about keywords and URL formats.

    Prob overanalyzing a bit here, but has anyone noticed a disconnect between the keywords before the domain suffix and the keywords afterward?

    For example, which of the following URL formats would rank better for the search term 'car insurance for gorillas', assuming they were the only ranking factors in play?

    carinsurancefor.com/gorillas/

    vs.

    carinsurancefor.com/car-insurance-for-gorillas/

    The focus niche keyword phrases all have the same three words as a prefix ([blank] [blank] for), with a good number of topics for the fourth word, so I registered a domain with just blank blank for before the suffix, and I plan on targeting a page for each topic.
    If you have the keyword in the URL you're already ahead of the game. The second example you gave is a bit spammy. You're better off going with what looks natural and makes the most sense. Don't try and stuff as many keywords as you can in the URL - go with the 1st option. Everyone was beating around the bush with their answers so there you go.
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    • Profile picture of the author saganator
      Originally Posted by JammerJones View Post

      If you have the keyword in the URL you're already ahead of the game. The second example you gave is a bit spammy. You're better off going with what looks natural and makes the most sense. Don't try and stuff as many keywords as you can in the URL - go with the 1st option. Everyone was beating around the bush with their answers so there you go.
      That's what I was leaning toward. Thanks.
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