Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : SEO / SEM Discussions : SEO File naming

[Timoots]

Hey guys I was wondering which format for file naming would be better here is an example for web site hosting plans.

web-site-hosting-plans.php

or

web_site_hosting_plans.php

Any difference? any other sudgestions?

[incrediblehelp]

I remember reading somewhere Google prefers the hyphens over underscores.

[gobeyond]

If you try to put keywords in your file names, use "-", not "_". It is widely known that Google can parse keywords separated by "-".

By the way, the keywords in filenames don't carry that much weight when it comes to SEO. So, I wouldn't spend too much time on it.

[apsivam]

Checkout Google Guy's (Matt Cutts) blog regarding this topic
http://www.mattcutts.com/blog/dashes-vs-underscores/

[1boss1]

Use a dash "-"

Google does see individual words separated by an underscore, however it's still best to use a dash.

When you hyperlink using an underscore it can look like a space in the URL, example:

www.domain.com/under_score.html

[george_wash]

yes - is better then _

[Timoots]

http://www.entrepreneurs-journey.com...ing-structure/


good article if neone is interested.....thanks for the help guys

[temi]

It looks far better without hyphens

[Melnel]

Don't forget your customers when you go on your file- naming-scheme.

Telling that to someone over the phone (file dash naming dash scheme) gets a bit wearysome and some people (like me) hate to type in names with dashes.

[MrCat]

Originally Posted by 1boss1

Use a dash "-"

Google does see individual words separated by an underscore, however it's still best to use a dash.

When you hyperlink using an underscore it can look like a space in the URL, example:

www.domain.com/under_score.html

This is a very good point. Probably why dashes are prefered.

[ElTino]

it's pretty simple, if you're using underscores it will take you more time to optimize. The case with hyphens is a different piece of story, they are much more SEO friendly.

[websoltech]

eureka, i get it now, when you use an underscore it can be confusing in a link and some people might think its a space, where as the dash cant be confused, a dash is a dash, and underscore can be mistaken for a space.

[websushil]

That could be happened but i this dashes is the best to make ur file .hyphens not looking good as a address.and also underscore seems like space so "-" that is good to use for address.

[JRSEOMarketing]

I've always used -, and never underscore ( _ )

Oh wow... that is so ASCII of me ( * \/ * )

Its a face.. perverts! heh

[websoltech]

looks like an owl to me.