Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : SEO / SEM Discussions : SEO hyphens in domain names?

[CrazyPenguin]

Do hyphens help, hurt, or make no difference in domain names concerning SEO?

[marcbarak]

This topic has been discussed recently on WHT. The consensus is an underscore or hyphen is easily read by the search BOTS with many providing guidance why a hyphen (dash) is preferred.

The search engine algorithms are easily matured to where they differentiate words with and without separating symbols

[temi]

I have tested this out with and SEO consultant friend, we came to the conclusion that hyphen does not influence SERP

[wbpro]

Well, since no one voted, I decided to give it a vote, as I agree with all the replies. However for humans sometimes is more complicated to remember a URL with dash than withou, ofcourse unless the phrase its too long which is not good idea either.

[CrazyPenguin]

I have mixed views on this issue as well. Most people I have talked to lately say a hyphen doesn't really affect the SEO. One thing is a given, promoting the heck out of a web site is the only real way to get a decent ranking.

[Zafar Ahmed]

As long as your domain name have no strings and NOT dynamic, it is friendly.

[Webnauts]

Originally Posted by Zafar Ahmed

As long as your domain name have no strings and NOT dynamic, it is friendly.

Can you show an example of a domain name that has strings or is dynamic?

[Zafar Ahmed]

Originally Posted by Webnauts

Can you show an example of a domain name that has strings or is dynamic?

Example of query string URL:
http://www.impliedbydesign.com/artic...ry=2&orderby=1

Example of dynamic link would look something like "http://domain.com/directory.asp" or "http://domain.com/directory.cfm"


regards,
Zafar Ahmed

[CrazyPenguin]

Zafar Ahmed,

In all do respect sir. I must ask you a question. The examples you provided for us are from the Windows family.

Could you provide an example of a dynamic link which would be running on a Linux server?

Many thanks,

CP

[Zafar Ahmed]

Originally Posted by CrazyPenguin

Zafar Ahmed,

In all do respect sir. I must ask you a question. The examples you provided for us are from the Windows family.

Could you provide an example of a dynamic link which would be running on a Linux server?

Many thanks,

CP

Hi,

http://www.securityfocus.com/infocus/1872

Scroll down to where it says "Dynamic Linking in Linux".

Search engine prefers static URL over dynamic, Google have started to index dynamic links though, however, links with query strings is a big NO NO.

there are many tutorials that can help you change dynamic urls to static.

[Webnauts]

Originally Posted by Webnauts

Can you show an example of a domain name that has strings or is dynamic?

Do you know the difference between a domain and a hyperlink? Or am I confused?

[Zafar Ahmed]

Originally Posted by Webnauts

Do you know the difference between a domain and a hyperlink? Or am I confused?

Well, I understood what the OP was trying to know.

From an SEO point of SEO, even if your domain is something like:

www.your-domain-to-be-something-like-this.com

This is friendly as long as the URL or hyperlink do not include the strings or dynamic URL.

for example:

http://www.your-domain-name-whatever...5(strings).cfm is not friendly.

I am sure that is what the OP wanted to know.

[AHFBWEB]

In other words...NO

and BTW, Google has been indexing urls with query strings for years!!

[Zafar Ahmed]

Originally Posted by AHFB HTML

and BTW, Google has been indexing urls with query strings for years!!

Yes, you are 101% correct, even Matt Cutt has proven this myth.

However, however, when you use query strings,the keyword in the domain name lose it's significance by the other characters in query strings. This is a reason why I prefer websites to be in HTML.

And please stop misguiding people by saying "for years" - Google changes or modify their Algorithm often, it does not stay forever.

[AHFBWEB]

Originally Posted by Zafar Ahmed

Yes, you are 101% correct, even Matt Cutt has proven this myth.

However, however, when you use query strings,the keyword in the domain name lose it's significance by the other characters in query strings. This is a reason why I prefer websites to be in HTML.

And please stop misguiding people by saying "for years" - Google changes or modify their Algorithm often, it does not stay forever.

Yes, I am 101% correct, what myth are you talking about, I am speaking of facts there is no myth.

Yes, anything other than a keyword dilute the keyword, so will a domain/keyword/keyword/keyword/keyword. What does HTML have to do with it, a simple rewrite to a php or asp will do the same. BTW what does query strings have to do with hyphens in a domain name?

misguiding people? first I am 101% right then the same statement is misguiding people?