hyphens or underscores for SEO?

Discussion in 'Search Engine Optimization' started by scuba5794, May 27, 2007.

?

Which do you use Hyphens or underscores?

  1. Hyphens

    35 vote(s)
    89.7%

  2. Underscores

    4 vote(s)
    10.3%
0
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  1. Qryztufre

    Qryztufre Prominent Member

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    #21
    I search google daily and I tend to find more hyphens then underscores...though that may be due to them being used more. I do find both though. In fact, I find that most non-alpha-numeric characters are all about the same, as I find keywords seperated by slashes ( / ) and periods ( . ) and any number of other things...
     
    Qryztufre, May 28, 2007 IP
  2. boyponga

    boyponga Banned

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    #22
    hyphens are better than underscores, it easy to type and can be read as a space by search engines
     
    boyponga, May 28, 2007 IP
  3. adacprogramming

    adacprogramming Well-Known Member

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    #23
    These are the two most important things to consider. Underscores are more likely to cause a mistake when the user types it in and the words are considered 1 word by the search engines.

    As per Matt Cutts African_Elephant = AfricanElephant one word that will not be separated by the search engines (at least Google).

    AfricanElephant will likely be taken as African Elephant (2 words) and
    African-Elephant will defiantly be taken as African Elephant (2 words)
     
    adacprogramming, May 28, 2007 IP
  4. rosiee007

    rosiee007 Notable Member

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    #24
    I've seen use of underscores mostly on old sites, which were developed some 4 or 5 years back. Most of the sites being developed now use hyphens and it is becoming more and more popular.
     
    rosiee007, May 29, 2007 IP
  5. firefox911

    firefox911 Peon

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    #25
    hyphens are better than underscores.. its looks clean
     
    firefox911, May 29, 2007 IP
  6. Sherlock

    Sherlock Well-Known Member

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    #26
    i used to use underscores but hyphens but then realized that hyphens are like space for search engines
     
    Sherlock, May 29, 2007 IP
  7. mortimer33

    mortimer33 Well-Known Member

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    #27
    Hi Guys.

    In a scenario where you have 2 websites -> mydomain.com and my-domain.com. With all other things being equal will google rank mydomain.com higher than my-domain.com?:confused:
     
    mortimer33, Jun 4, 2007 IP
  8. WebGeek182

    WebGeek182 Active Member

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    #28
    Hands down hyphens are better. This should help answer your question on hyphens or underscores in URL's.
     
    WebGeek182, Jun 4, 2007 IP
  9. Mark07

    Mark07 Peon

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    #29
    Like the rest, even I say Hyphens are the best and also they are easy to type :)
     
    Mark07, Jun 4, 2007 IP
  10. digital1

    digital1 Well-Known Member

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    #30
    Another vote for hyphens from me. I've always found that I've had more luck with hyphens anyway. :)
     
    digital1, Jun 4, 2007 IP
  11. adacprogramming

    adacprogramming Well-Known Member

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    #31
    No, in this case it would be more of a user issue. with out the dash is normally easier to remember. If you have the dash version it is likely people will often try it without the dash and go to the wrong site.

    It's worse with longer names. I work on mt-gatervpark.com

    When I first started working on this site, I was constantly forgetting where the dash was. There are three possible locations :(
     
    adacprogramming, Jun 4, 2007 IP
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