Hyphens. Should I really avoid them?

[IMpossible]

Is it true that hyphens (e.g. my-domain.com) can hurt my search engine rankings?

 

[pallyD]

They won't hurt your rankings, but they are seen as less memorable. If you need to get a hyphen because your keyword is already taken, then it's a decent alternative.
It certainly won't hurt, but it won't help either.

 

[zengetsu]

I never really thought they were a persay "bad thing" I think people just prefer it all in one word. If it is a high grade domain name like computer-memory.com then I do not see how you could go wrong there though!

 

[hawgbert]

From what I've read, they don't hurt your rankings (as they get interpreted as a "space"), but URLs with keywords might seem like knockoffs to the average consumer. Use for rankings, but don't count on branding a site with hypens.

 

[devnull]

To me hyphens indicate a site could be less reputable. Not sure about it's SEO effect, and maybe the average joe doesn't care or notice.

 

[IMpossible]

From what I've read, they don't hurt your rankings (as they get interpreted as a "space"), but URLs with keywords might seem like knockoffs to the average consumer. Use for rankings, but don't count on branding a site with hypens.

I should never use keywords as a brand? Like let's say "howtoswim.com" ?

 

[bertbaby]

I should never use keywords as a brand? Like let's say "howtoswim.com" ?

Not if you ever want to trademark the name otherwise you're good!

 

[chatmasta]

I've seen negligible performance loss in hyphenated EMDs vs non hyphenated EMDs. The non hyphenated will usually perform best, so if you're up against one don't bother. But if you aren't, go for it.

 

[Deleted member 84902]

They're just plain ugly.

 

[utuxia]

google 'e cigarette forum' and you'll see the most popular forum at #1 is hyphenated. looks ugly as shit, and is memorable too...so I think what really matters is that its an exact match and you get to the top and stay there.

 

[Autumn]

A few years ago Cuttsfag mentioned that multiple hypens in the domain name could be used as a spam signal (this was in the era when people would register domains like spammy-keyword-spam-widget-spam-fuck.com).

Personally I don't think one hyphen would necessarily hurt your rankings, but as others have mentioned they just look like crap and it means that the site as a whole is less valuable (in terms of brand and resale value).

 

[IMpossible]

Ok so you guys say it's better to use a "brandable name" without hyphens. But here comes the next question: Can the domain name, which I try to make a brand, be non-related to the content in the page (just a random brand name people have never heard before) but still rank on #1?

 

[hatelovemisery]

Ok so you guys say it's better to use a "brandable name" without hyphens. But here comes the next question: Can the domain name, which I try to make a brand, be non-related to the content in the page (just a random brand name people have never heard before) but still rank on #1?

You probably could if your were real good with SEO, low competition for that keyword, but post penguins EMDs are definitely in. hope that answers your question.

 

[IMpossible]

What's post penguin EMDs? Can you give an example?

 

[utuxia]

Ok so you guys say it's better to use a "brandable name" without hyphens. But here comes the next question: Can the domain name, which I try to make a brand, be non-related to the content in the page (just a random brand name people have never heard before) but still rank on #1?

Sure, "amazon" has nothing to do w/ the products they sell, yet they rank #1 for almost everything they sell.

 

[Nyr1979]

I've been able to rank domains with hyphens really well. There are a lot of good EMDs still available with a hyphen. If the .com isn't available it's usually my next option. I prefer them to a .net or a .org without the hyphen.

 

[utuxia]

I saw a hyphenated domain today at lunch. the restaurant was premier-pizza.com -- looked fine to me on their logo...I didn't really think "Oh how lame" Infact, i kind helps separate the two words in my opinion.

 

[john_mathew]

it can be juged that your keyword has been taken so you should try it with what you got . you wont get less reputed but people remember direct names