Dashes or Underscores?

I know it's a stupid question, but I still can't figure out an intelligent answer: from a seo point of view, it's better to have dashes or underscores as word separator inside a url?

Thanks

 

i usually see people use dashes for separator. but IMO it really doesnt matter.

 

I like the underscore because when you see the url in the address bar it is harder to see than dashes and the words look more natural. That may have a very limited SEO effect as far as a visitor to your site might see and remember you keywords more easily and search for them another time and come back to your site. I know it is a bit of a stretch, but you must admit you are trying to split a hair with that question.

 

I use both and I have noticed either one from being prefered, both are licked.

 

You are the devil!

Thanks

 

It's not a stupid question. It shows you are curious about small things. Matt Cutts got the question so many times that he blogged about it.. ;-)

I prefer dashes over underscores, primarily because they are more readable (remember hyperlinks are underlined by most browsers and that clashes with underscores). From SEO point of view, there is no difference.

 

Promoting the dashes and underscore in the url increase the probablity of more url with the same keyword. i think it is good as on seo point of view

 

Dash of course. I hardly see people use underscore in URLs.

 

Yep, Matt Cutts recommends dashes.

 

Really?!?
I've got lots of pages with underscores! Do you think they've been penalized.

 

It is not against the law. It just look nicer and easier to read the link with the dashes. Underscores are ok from technical point of view.

 

As much as I hear his name on these forums, I bet Matt Cutts wears a white robe, walks on water and has a long, brown beard.

 

Good question..

If it is a url it is dash but if it is re-naming an image i felt that underscores perform better.

 

From an SEO point of view, it's dashes. For aesthetics it's underscores. Personally, I'd recommend just having the words spelled out... it's better to have DoThis.html rather than do-this.html or do_this.html.

 

As long as you use the same throughout your website there is no difference. My personal preference is a dash -

 

You won't be penalized for one or the other. One thing you would never do without VERY good reason is change from one to the other

 

use any but be consistent with one.

 

Don't use underscores. Dashes are fine.

 

I also prefer dashes (hyphen) on urls.

 

Its really a good question.... I think using dashes are good in the Url.