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Keyword-Rich Domain Names
Well after a few left-field posts I’m happy to settle back to some bread-and-butter Search Engine Optimisation topics.
If you are involved with SEO you probably know that keyword rich domain names receive a certain bais in search results. If you are targeting the search phrase ‘blue widget’ then having the domain name ‘bluewidget.tld’ (replace’.tld’ with your favoured TLD) will get you a boost in the Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs).
So just how much bang for your buck can a well targeted domain name give you?
Well as a case in point take a look a the this search. Currently the #1 ranking site is www.powerwashingireland.com (this site has nothing to do with me):
Now my gut feeling is that this site will shortly disappear. Looking at the whois data tells me the following:
Creation date: 22 Sep 2006 10:05:18
while looking at the backlinks:
1 to 1 of 1
URL: www.turnkeyrevolution.com
ANCHOR: Power Washing Ireland
What is interesting is that Google gives this site top ranking. A site with a young keyword-rich domain name (should have very low trust) and just one targeted text link got to #1 for this search phrase (also #1 for allinanchor: with and without quotes).
Why do I think this site will shortly disappear? Well Google is notorious for giving a short-term boost to new sites and quickly relegating those sites to the sandbox for certain search phrases.
I’m going to keep an eye on this particular site – it should be a very good test subject showing how Google treats keyword-rich domain names.
Same here: jobireland.blogspot.com/…..recruitment-web.html
Comment by Job Ireland — October 5, 2006 @ 7:46 pm
[...] Richard over at Redcardinal has brought up an interesting case example of a new site ranking well on Google but with little or no trust from Google. Read keyword rich domain name ranking and see if this site will be thrown into the Google Sandbox. Share and Enjoy:These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages. [...]
Pingback by Ireland SEO Marketing » Understanding Google Sandbox — October 5, 2006 @ 8:29 pm
This will be interesting to watch Richard and its something I am also keeping an eye on with my own site, its already getting a boost with some keywords but for how long?
Maybe I’ll have to update my post Using Keywords In Domain Names
if the results of these two sites show the filter in action.
For example search on Google for: google visit Ireland – I am sitting at #2..hhhmm wonders who is #1
OK its a lame example but I wanted to show how we are both ranking for that term, lol.
Comment by Gavin — October 6, 2006 @ 5:10 pm
Hey Gavin
I presume your targeting “seo marketing ireland”?
Well the good news is that once you are trusted you are probably going to rank quite well http://www.google.com/search?q=allinanchor%3Aseo+marketing+ireland
Doh, just noticed who’s one place ahead of you
[I’m not too sure how much I’m trusting any advanced Google operators at the moment – everything seems to be broken the last few days. I’m hoping I can still rely on this allinanchor search]
Comment by Richard Hearne — October 6, 2006 @ 5:21 pm
Richard you still watching that site? I was just wondering if you had seen how long a new site would last at top until the big G drop?
As for my targeting, I wasn’t purposely aiming for SEO Ireland Marketing and I don’t even know why I bought the domain but now I have it I may as well join in the race.
Comment by Gavin — October 18, 2006 @ 11:41 pm
Hi Gavin
I’m beginning to wonder if maybe it might escape any penalty by virtue of the fact that it has little or no off-site promotion.
It makes sense for Google to rank a domain powerwashingireland.com for the search ‘power washing ireland’.
That said, a search for ‘ireland seo marketing’ places you at #2 behind akamarketing.com.
I think this is a good test subject to keep an eye on. I’ll shoot you a mail if the target site is sandboxed/penalised.
Another issue I am beginning to worry about is the possible divergence between an allinanchor: search and future SERP positions. It used to be a good indicator of future SERP but I am wondering if this is changing?
Best rgds
Richard.
Comment by Richard Hearne — October 19, 2006 @ 12:12 am
Hi Richard,
I noticed that my own site is still ranking up there for some keywords. In saying that, I have did very little self promotion for the site except make a few comments on blogs and some forums.
After the Google update I thought the two sites would have suffered but I do suppose its early days until the dust settles.
For the allinanchor: command, I havent seen on heard anything about changes but I’ll play around and see.
Comment by Gavin — October 19, 2006 @ 9:08 am