Using - in a domain name?

15 replies
What happens when you use - in a domain name.

When you cant get emd is using the - ok?

Does it affect the keyword/s?

Thanks.
#domain
  • Profile picture of the author TollFreeService
    If you just want search traffic then no, a dash will be fine for you. If you want people to remember your URL then it will be a barrier.
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  • Profile picture of the author aaronjunited
    Thanks for that, so there is no difference using or not using hyphens?
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  • Profile picture of the author asiancasanova
    Search engines treat hyphens or dashes as space, so your keywords are not affected.
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  • Profile picture of the author wgoodwin1989
    Definitely agreed! If you are looking to drive traffic, go for it. Hell, traffic-boost.net is a great example. When it comes to brand recognition, its way better to shell out the cash for a domain without the dashes or any other non relevant characters.
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  • Profile picture of the author Bruce Wedding
    A hyphenated EMD domain is not as effective as a pure EMD. Yes, hyphens are considered stop words but that doesn't mean they're ignored.

    Why not go to a good source?

    Domains - SEO Best Practices | SEOmoz

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    • Profile picture of the author UMS
      Originally Posted by Bruce Wedding View Post

      A hyphenated EMD domain is not as effective as a pure EMD. Yes, hyphens are considered stop words but that doesn't mean they're ignored.

      Why not go to a good source?

      Domains - SEO Best Practices | SEOmoz
      While SEOmoz has some very good resources, you still need to look at the age of the information you are referencing as SEO has ever changing goal posts.

      In particular, that graph was from an article posted in 2010 and we all know that a lot has changed since then in regards to EMDs (particularly with the Panda updates)
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      • Profile picture of the author Bruce Wedding
        Originally Posted by UMS View Post

        In particular, that graph was from an article posted in 2010 and we all know that a lot has changed since then in regards to EMDs (particularly with the Panda updates)
        You're right. They've gotten even better
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        • Profile picture of the author aaronjunited
          Originally Posted by fenomeno View Post

          Sorry, maybe I expressed myself wrong.

          I wanted to say that if you are targeting some domain with popular keywords in it (for example: charterflights, kidstoys, mobilephones etc) it is zero chance that you will find it available in .com either with or without "-".
          Yea very true you needed to be thinking about those keywords about 3 or 4 years ago.

          Originally Posted by UMS View Post

          While SEOmoz has some very good resources, you still need to look at the age of the information you are referencing as SEO has ever changing goal posts.

          In particular, that graph was from an article posted in 2010 and we all know that a lot has changed since then in regards to EMDs (particularly with the Panda updates)
          SEOmoz is terrible in my opinion, there is some very misleading info on that website. Just go to Google Webmaster Blog to get true information, that's what I say.
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  • Profile picture of the author aaronjunited
    thanks for the advice people.
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  • Profile picture of the author fenomeno
    If you can choose, pick the one without "-"
    Signature

    Contact me on PM if you are interested in extra affordable instructions about how to trade with domain names for serious profit. You could also just visit and check my website at http://www.honorarniposao.net/#!english/ctqd

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  • Profile picture of the author aaronjunited
    yea most definitely I agree. although there isn't many of the without hyphen domains out there any more.
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  • Profile picture of the author fenomeno
    If phrase is popular, there is zero chance that it is available for registration in .com, even the "-" version. But if you want some phrase which is not taken you should choose the one without "-".

    Or, you could contact the owner of specific domain you want and buy it from him/her. If he/she hold it for sell, it would be wise that you hire some domainer to buy it as you as an enduser would pay much more for it.
    Signature

    Contact me on PM if you are interested in extra affordable instructions about how to trade with domain names for serious profit. You could also just visit and check my website at http://www.honorarniposao.net/#!english/ctqd

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    • Profile picture of the author aaronjunited
      Originally Posted by fenomeno View Post

      If phrase is popular, there is zero chance that it is available for registration in .com, even the "-" version. But if you want some phrase which is not taken you should choose the one without "-".

      Or, you could contact the owner of specific domain you want and buy it from him/her. If he/she hold it for sell, it would be wise that you hire some domainer to buy it as you as an enduser would pay much more for it.
      What do you mean by the phrase. You mean search for phrase in keyword tool and see what's available that way?
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      • Profile picture of the author fenomeno
        Originally Posted by aaronjunited View Post

        What do you mean by the phrase. You mean search for phrase in keyword tool and see what's available that way?
        Sorry, maybe I expressed myself wrong.

        I wanted to say that if you are targeting some domain with popular keywords in it (for example: charterflights, kidstoys, mobilephones etc) it is zero chance that you will find it available in .com either with or without "-".
        Signature

        Contact me on PM if you are interested in extra affordable instructions about how to trade with domain names for serious profit. You could also just visit and check my website at http://www.honorarniposao.net/#!english/ctqd

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  • Profile picture of the author Trevor
    I have many hyphenated domains that do ok and also many that use an extra character at the end and I don't see too much of a difference between the two.

    But that's just my experience and my domains.
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