Display URL - Actual URL

What are peoples feelings regarding the importance of Actual URL's that appear in the browser?

I understand the importance of Keywords within the Display URL but do people think that Google give any consideration to the actual URL when deciding on the landing pages quality?

 

I would doubt it, because if you have a large site with a large product base, you are likely to have a long URL that makes little sense to the user when you deep link someone. That being the case, the URL may not make sense, but the page might be well suited for the keyword.

 

I agree - why would Google reward somebody for having a relevant domain name?

Would a company called www.cheapwashingmachines.com be more trustworthy that a big household name that doesn't have washing machines in the domain name, because they sell other things as well...

And as atrain said, the length of the URL can't be significant - Google actually recommend that you don't land people on the home page in general...

 

Cheers for the quick responce.

The URL does seem to make a difference to natural results and wondered if this is carried accross to AdWords.

I understand that Google advise deep links would te following make a difference?

URL 1
www.electricalmegastore.com/washing-machines.asp

URL 2
www.electricalmegastore.com/Productln=0246&productid=587758

 

As a directing URL in adwords, no.

 

It's far more important from a user point of view (think credibility) than a QS/AdWords point of view. I've run identical campaigns with the exception of the display url and the CTR swings are very, very noticeable.

 

I agree. In my own shopping experience I am more likely to click and ad with a clean display url vs. a bunch of odd characters.

 

A big part of why Google introduced the quality score was to fight arbitragers. Most arbitrage sites were 'catch all' sites trying to make a buck off everything. So their urls were very generic, no product names in them. You can see how a display url of www.dishwashers.com would be more desirable than www.yousearchhere.com.

Just a thought...

 

Theoretically possible not not really in play. Almost none of the major retailers/commerce sites have products in the urls.