using dashes or underscores in URL's?

does this make any difference?

example:

i have a page, i am using URL rewrites to make the URL contain keywords

so i am wondering which would be more efficient for SEO:

mysite.com/page-keywords-here.html

or

mysite.com/page_keywords_here.html

im not sure if this makes a difference or not...

 

i just did some reading and apparently search engines see "key_word" as 1 word, where as they see "key-word" as 2

 

Dashes are the way to go.

 

Dashes are better then underscores

 

I agree with everybody that say that dashes "-" are better than "_" . It may sounds strange but this is official information that i read in Matt Cutts blog few months ago

 

And also, you only have to look as far as Blogger and the way that it outputs pages with dashes.

Google isn't likely to miss a step with its own software!

 

they are the same, I think.

 

No! It is not the same, official information from Google reveals something like this:

example-example.php - Google read this as 2 words - example example
example_example.php - Google read this as 1 word - exampleexample

I am sorry for stupid explanation.

 

It does not matter to the Search Engines, they read words so the use of the "-" makes it seem like a compound word whereas the "_" is simply two separate words. The "only" benefit is for phrase building or long-tail key words, or is it long_tail keywords!

Humans prefer the dash, that's why Google uses them, easier to read.

If your biggest issue is dash versus underscore, you are either rich, bored or desperate. Focus on content!

How do I know, I sold ads for some of Google's biggest partners and was in the meetings, oh I mean ran them!

 

For ranking doesnt matter, plus i'd rather have exampleeXAMPLE.COM than example-example.com if i wanted to rank for example example

 

I'd go with the dashes instead of the underscores mainly for the usability benefits they provide. Just be careful how you use them though.

 

Google likes the dashes better. However, Matt Cutts has said they are looking at weighting them the same in the future.

 

That was a year ago, freelistfool.

 

I would recommend just using the main keyword you are after in the url. like mysite.com/design.php
Then focus on the easier keyterms within the content of the page.
Long urls can work against you and the benefit is highly overrated.

 

I read that it doesn't matter.
Whichever looks good to you!

 

They do matter, selfhelpebooks - especially when it comes to usability and keeping your server's error logs free of clutter.

 

aha more like 2 years, That post was in 2006

We seriously need a DP SEO FAQ Dan where we can have such questions answered. People are still quoting that old posts of Matt cutts where he had said dashes are better as well bold is better than strong.

What do you think ?

 

Actually, it was July 23, 2007. http://news.cnet.com/8301-13530_3-9748779-28.html

As for an FAQ, I've been seriously considering writing it. I still have the SEO Guide to finish writing (which will replace "All you Need to Know About SEO").

 

This is simple:

If your pages keyword is being targeted for a search term that has been abused by searchers such as webhosting. Then you use a - . If you want the search engine to clearly know that your pages is being targeted to a two word search term you use a _ ,such as web_hosting.

At the same time a domain name that does have a - instead of a _ it will be precieved as the same if other factors line up.

 

It's not that simple, oregonthunder2.