Hyphen Domains and Google

Is it just me who has noticed that hyphen domains don't rank as well as they used to on google? I rarely see a hyphen domain on the first page of google anymore.

 

I guess it doesn't mean they are not ranking as well, maybe people are stopping using them, or more people entering your searched market...

Could be a few reasons they are not up there - not necessarily they are ranked badly!

 

Well generally speaking hyphen domains are owned by webmasters with more SEO knowledge, so you typically used to find hyphen domains always on the first page of the serps. I don't anymore, and I'm not just referring to my niche.

 

Ahh I see - why is it they were owned by the more experienced webmasters?

Is it because no-one else had those names/domains and those webmasters knew they could still SEO them the same?

 

I don't think that Google pays attention to hyphens at all. They treat it like every other domain, really. But why don't they rank well for competitive keywords? Because they are mostly owned by spammers (a domain like this-is-how-you-should-act-to-lose-weight-fast-keyword1-keyword2.com).

 

when seo is done right hyphenated domains most of the times ranks first for the keyword in domain.

 

I have a music blog which I started 2months ago, it has a hyphen on its domain name but it ranks good on search results. I don't think there is any advantage of having hyphens or none, it is on the way you SEO your blog or site.

 

Nice question indeed but I'd differ in opinion a bit.

It's true to some extent that people normally avoid hyphenized domain names but they don't rank, its kind of myth, IMO.

I just started optimizing my business website 1 month back for - Professional SEO Company - keyword. On the first page itself, I find www.e-zoneonline.com (With hyphen) and within less than 1 month, I'm on 2nd page too.. (of course my domain have a hyphen too, and ranking well with little fluctuation of 1st and 2nd page)

I'd agree with JessieJames27, it purely depends upon how you SEO your blog or website. And if the domain have targeted keywords, it's an advantage, no matter if there is a hyphen too. Just my humble opinion and I always welcome other opinions to learn more

Cheers!

 

Google only considers your work, your free to use any thing weather hyphen or what ever you like, hyphen used for acquire good keyword, and if your worked on properly sure your site will get good rank.