URL name and SEO

Hi, A friend asked me this question and I think the answer is 'yes' but I wanted to run it past this forum to get opinions. Does URL name affect ranking in search engines? Say, if I own an ice cream parlor in Orlando, Florida and I make my URL "icecreamparlorinorlandoflorida.com" does that affect SEO? Probably a simple answer, but thanks for any feedback.

Pierre

 

I am pretty sure it does.

However, using your example "icecreamparlorinorlandoflorida.com" Since this domain name is outrageously long, it's going to work against your SEO efforts.

There's a general consensus that a domain names should be:

1. Short, descriptive and to the point
2. A dash "-" works in its favor more than an underscore "_"
3. And although, it's not as important as it used to be in the past, a domain name with the keyword in it still rules

 

Definitely, though I would not recommend using icecreamparlorinorlandoflorida.com since it sounds outrageous, long, and just...wrong.

I agree with the points made by Qwikad: those are good tips for starters. However, if you're looking for long-term success, I'd recommend building your brand name by using it as a domain name. For example, you're selling ice creams in Florida, and your company name is Pepper. Something in the likes of PepperIceCream.com or PepperIce.com would work well.

Yeah sure, it's unrelated to SEO, but remember that people are more profitable than search engine bots.

Anyway, I found this link in Ahrefs.com, and I'd like you to check it out as it might help you

https://blog.ahrefs.com/formulating-a-unique-and-user-friendly-domain-name/

 

yes it does effect SEO efforts, as others said the sorter the better. But that doesn't mean you cant rank for that keyword at all if you don't have a URL matching the search term

 

In my experience and observing the search results, I would say yes it does affect, but not the basis at all. It will always depend on how you will satisfy your targeted users within your site and that's matters most.

 

It is just one element in seo

 

The presence of the keyword phrase in the domain was itself a ranking factor. However, in a recent Google updates (especially the “EMD update”), EMDs are no longer as helpful as they once were. Your brand is important, and your domain name is the foundation upon which your online brand will be built. While some marketers think SEO is only about keywords and links, the reality is that Google likes brands.

 

Actually, over the years, having a keyword in the URL has less and less effects.
Check this post for more info
https://digitalreadymarketing.com/choose-a-domain-name-for-seo/

 

At some point it does, but not as much, because you know search engines especially Google consider a lot of ranking factors.
On the other hand the domain is too long, you might want to consider a short but humorous domain instead?

 

Yes, but try to make it a little shorter.... You can always include yuor long tail keywords in the URL by adding new articles... Use only a part of your keyword (1-2 words maximum!) in the domain name!