{"id":18849,"date":"2022-11-25T10:50:21","date_gmt":"2022-11-25T10:50:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mailinvest.blog\/index.php\/2022\/11\/25\/is-domain-name-a-google-ranking-factor\/"},"modified":"2022-11-25T10:50:21","modified_gmt":"2022-11-25T10:50:21","slug":"is-domain-name-a-google-ranking-factor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mailinvest.blog\/index.php\/2022\/11\/25\/is-domain-name-a-google-ranking-factor\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Domain Name A Google Ranking Factor?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Remember the early days of the internet?<\/p>\n

You could spend all day chatting with your friends on AOL messenger while you played solitaire on Yahoo games. And then your mom picked up the phone to make a call, and you were kicked off the web. Good times.<\/p>\n

In those days, if you were doing some shopping, there was a good chance you were doing it on a site with an exact match domain (EMD). For example, if you needed a dog collar, you\u2019d probably end up on a site with an address like www.buydogcollars.com.<\/p>\n

In those primitive days of search engine optimization, it was common for companies to put their exact target keyword phrase right in their domain URL.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately, depending on how you feel about EMDs), scammers and bad actors took advantage of this, snatched up many of these domains, and linked them to low-quality sites.<\/p>\n

So, what\u2019s true today? Does your domain name have an impact on search results?<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s take a closer look at the debate.<\/p>\n

[Download:] <\/strong>The Complete Google Ranking Factors Guide<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

The Claim: Is Domain Name A Ranking Factor?<\/h2>\n

Having an exact match domain used to be a big deal.<\/p>\n

In 2010, CarInsurance.com sold for $49.7 million<\/a>: still the most expensive domain name purchase of all time. So clearly, someone valued domains with that keyword.<\/p>\n

It was (and sometimes still is) common for people in the SEO industry to advocate for EMDs. The claims around them usually being that they instantly generate credibility and generate a competitive edge.<\/p>\n

But remember those bad actors we talked about in the last section? Eventually, Google got wise to their keyword-stuffing URLs and changed its algorithm to discount them. But that\u2019s not to say your website\u2019s domain name does not affect SEO.<\/p>\n

The Evidence: The Impact Of Domain Names On SEO<\/h2>\n

There is a lot of mixed information about domain names and their impact on rankings.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s no question that domain names played a role in rankings at one point.<\/p>\n

In a 2011 Webmaster Hangout<\/a>, Matt Cutts, a software engineer on Google\u2019s Search Quality group, acknowledged the role EMDs played in the tech giant\u2019s search algorithm.<\/p>\n

However, he also stated:<\/p>\n

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\u201cAnd so, we have been thinking about adjusting that mix a little bit and sort of turning the knob down within the algorithm, so that given two different domains it wouldn\u2019t necessarily help you as much to have a domain with a bunch of keywords in it.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

And just one year later, in 2012, Cutts tweeted<\/a> that low-quality exact match domains would get reduced visibility in search results.<\/p>\n

Finally, in 2020, Google Webmaster Trends Analyst John Mueller revealed<\/a> keywords in domain names no longer play a role in determining search engine results rankings.<\/p>\n

Answering a question if keywords in domain names impact rankings during an Ask Google Webmasters video, he said, \u201cIn short, no. You don\u2019t get a special bonus like that from having a keyword in your top-level domain.\u201d<\/p>\n

But this doesn\u2019t mean that domain names are unimportant. They\u2019re just not direct ranking factors.<\/p>\n

Learn more about Google Ranking Factors<\/strong> in our 2nd Edition ebook.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Our Verdict: Your Domain Name Is Not A Ranking Factor, But Is Still Important<\/h2>\n

\"Is<\/p>\n

Now that we\u2019ve established that domain names are NOT a part of your overall search engine rankings, SEO professionals can just forget about them, right?<\/p>\n

Absolutely not.<\/p>\n

Your choice of a domain name can be an important aspect of your UX and public image. Your domain name should usually be the most recognizable aspect of your business. Sometimes that\u2019s not your business name but a particular brand or trademark.<\/p>\n

You may want to consider subdomains or even separate domains for different properties. If you sell products that resellers carry, this can help your customers find you more easily.<\/p>\n

Using keywords in your domain doesn\u2019t help in terms of search ranking; if not done correctly, it could even hurt your SEO.<\/p>\n

But, if your branding is heavily focused on a particular service or product, including a keyword in the domain could help users understand what you\u2019re about at a glance. A carefully placed keyword could also help attract audiences likely to convert.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t be afraid to use a keyword if it\u2019s highly relevant or part of your branding.<\/p>\n

So, here\u2019s the TL;DR: Your domain name doesn\u2019t directly impact your Google ranking but provides opportunities for savvy web marketers to reflect their brand\u2019s values and create more positive user experiences.<\/p>\n

For more help choosing a domain name, check out Roger Montti\u2019s advice<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

Featured Image: Paulo Bobita\/Search Engine Journal<\/em><\/p>\n

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