Let’s put it this way: the exact matching domain should be buried in a trash bag, next to the person using hands-free talking in public.
Remember before every domain name looked like www.caraccidentattorney.com or www.buydogcollars.com?
This is what we are talking about when we talk about Exact Match Domain (EMD).
EMD is the domain name that contains the exact keyword phrase you want to rank in the SERP.
Fortunately, on September 28, 2012, Google’s Matt Cutts confirmed Exact match domain is not a ranking factor.
Now that we have resolved this dispute, let’s analyze how domain names affect search results.
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Take a deep breath and get ready to understand the true story behind the false claims made by the SEO industry about exact match domain names. To avoid your own future crisis, please keep reading.
Disclaimer: Domain name as a ranking factor
You may have heard a customer or SEO person say this: “Exactly matched domains generate instant credibility.”
“This is the best investment you can make.”
“It gives you a competitive advantage.”
This is true-going back in time. The selling price of Hotels.com domain name is 11 million USD In 2003, it became one of the most expensive domain purchases ever.
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The same theory applies to keywords in your domain name. We have all seen claims that including keywords in your domain name can improve rankings.
Come. exist.
We hate to be people at parties, but now is the time to officially call BS
Domain name as a ranking factor: evidence
There are many discussions on the Internet about domain names and their impact on rankings.
Does the domain name affect rankings?
In 2011, Bill Slavsky Investigated Google’s Exact Match Domain Patent And found insightful information blocks.
According to the patent, he speculates that keywords in the domain may perform better.
In the same year, Google’s Matt Cutts resolved his concerns about domain names Webmaster hangout.
Katz said:
“Now, if you are still hesitant, let me give you a bit of color. We have checked the rankings and weights we give to the keyword domains. Some people complain that we give too much weight to the keywords in the domain.
So we have been considering adjusting this combination slightly and turning down the knob in the algorithm so that given two different domains, it may not be helpful for you to have a domain that contains a bunch of keywords. “
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Therefore, it is clear that domain names did affect rankings in 2011.
But in 2012, Katz shared on Twitter If done improperly, this will have a negative impact on your ranking.
In today’s world, domain names do not affect Google rankings.
John Mueller of Google in 2020 year:
“Just because a website has a keyword in the domain name doesn’t mean it is more relevant than other websites. In short, you don’t need to put keywords in the domain name.”
To be clear, you don’t want to listen to this advice.
How important is an exact match domain name?
The fact is that a completely matched domain name is always a gray hat into the black hat world. From the perspective of ranking factors, the exact match domain is pure nonsense.
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Brian Harnish solves everything you need to know Google’s EMD update.
Domain name as a ranking signal: our judgment
Although there are exceptions to every rule, you want to properly evaluate your domain goals when it comes to domain names.
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Speaking of exceptions, there is one exception to our judgment: that is pure navigation search.
For example, if someone searches for a domain (such as Facebook), they will particularly want to navigate to that domain (such as www.facebook.com) via Google search (compared to entering a URL or opening the site via bookmarks). In this case, the fact that Facebook is Facebook will help Facebook rank the query.
Want to learn more about domain names and SEO?View Roger Montti’s suggestions Choose a domain name.
Featured image: Paul Bobita
