likethis.co.uk or like-this.co.uk

[ImproveSearchListings]

Which of these works better when targetting keywords within the URL?

Is Google better at separating the words when they have a '-' between them?

Thanks in advance,

James

 

[RedEvo]

Many prefer - to _ and as you can't have _ in a domain name then you are stuck with -. I don't like hyphens in domain names but they would help split-up-a-domain-name very effectively into keywords.

d

 

[Astaroth]

Personally would certainly go without - if at all possible..... much easier to tell someone your domain is "Like This dot co dot uk" than "Like dash This dot co dot uk"

 

[ImproveSearchListings]

It will be as an affiliate site, so I was thinking of focussing on the SEO, so I had imagined the keywords would be better picked up in the URL by Google.

Am I being thick?

 

[RedEvo]

No, that makes sense. I don't like hyphens for the reasons mentioned but it's only a problem when giving the URL verbally. SE traffic is different.

d

 

[ImproveSearchListings]

So go with the hyphen?

 

[I, Brian]

Google apparently can determine common words even if joined up. So having a hyphen is no longer essential for Google.

Additionally, hyphens can be perceived as a potential spam site.

Personally, I will always try to avoid hyphens in domain names now, and have been moving hyphenated ones to non-hyphenated forms.

 

[ScottB]

Yeh I agree with Brian, although I do tend to buy up hyphenated versions of my domains just to "have the set".

 

[newbie.soletrader]

hyphens are still better, but only marginally cos google can parse the words, all you are doing is helping it parse the RIGHT word

its not just about SEO, if its a serious website with long term potential you need to consider usability. is the domain memorable?

if its a filename, hyphens can help a long article title be read but AWFUL to have to type.

When its my decision I would go for a short domain name no hyphen but for filenames i stick with hyphens

whichoneiseasiesttoread?

which-one-is-easiest-to-read?

 

[ImproveSearchListings]

Thanks for all your help - really appreciate it.

 

[KevPrice]

The major SEO benefit of having keywords in your domain name is because the majority of the time people use your domain name as anchor text when linking to you.
Google have proven they can handle domains with or without hyphens, so it essentially comes down to aesthetics
(how does it look on a business card?)

I tend to buy both and 301 one to the other.
that way it doesn't matter if the visitor puts it in with or without hyphens, and when writing it for the public to read I can write it which ever way looks clearer at the time