How important is the domain TLD?

Hey there guys. Usually when I purchase a domain I go for .com by default. If that isn't available I usually go for .net, .org etc etc however I always stay away from the likes of .cc, .ws etc because they generally make a site look tacky.

However, the niche I'm about to enter has none of the "nice" TLD's available, even with domain variations by use of "-" but it does have a nice .co.uk available. In terms of general search, would having a .co.uk give me a disadvantage over .com and .net as it is country specific?

I don't have an answer for you here... But I will reply to bump your thread, as I'd be interested to know how this works as well.

Whatever answers you see here would be just opinions and not hard facts. My opinion is that .co.uk will give you advantage on UK market and .com will beat it in global SERPs.

G gives an exact match bonus only to .com,.net and .org. However i have seen country specific domain names ranking higher in regional searches than these 3 tlds. Also many times, the already registered domains r for sale by their owners for few dollars extra. You can try contacting them if it is a really good name or hire a broker. Also sometimes the name just drops so you can also keep an eye on it.

My personal opinion is that from the small tests iv'e done, country specific tlds rank abit easier in said countrys serp, but it's also important to be hosted in the correct country.

But all things said and done you can still outrank them with a .com on a us host, its just a matter of links (And ofcourse the site being in the local language helps, alot rofl)