As I understand Google has slapped pretty much all of the "thin" affiliate sites with a .info domain... is this also the case when advertising with AdWords? I'm just about to start up a new affiliate site but am tossing between buying a .com or .info... Obviously I wouldn't want to pay more per click just for having a different extension! Any help would be greatly appreciated.
i would also like to know this, im considering starting a blog and was going to use a .info domain as they are so cheap, are they cheap for a reason?
If you're serious about what you're doing you'll fork out the extra few dollars for the .com regardless of whether or not you will be slapped. From a conversion perspective, .com or local variations like .com.au work best. .info exts are unprofessional IMHO.
nobody knows if google slaps .info domains or not but why take so much risk for extra 4-5 dollars also buyer gets more confidence when he/she is dealing with .com websites.
It's more about the content on the site than the domain, I have some .info's that do fine in AdWords. That said, if you can get the .com of the domain you're after go for it.
What's wrong with .info domains if you are offering information? Nothing IMO. I have .com's .biz's .info's ... the .info's work as well as the others in my experience. For me, it's what comes before the .ext that makes the biggest difference especially regarding the CTR.
.com is taken more seriously and often has higher CTR's If you can get a .com that you like, then use that instead
I don't know if it makes that big of a difference from the big G's standpoint. But I think from a visitor standpoint if it is a .info they look at it like a spam website and don't trust it and they will have a lot higher bounce rate.
I dont think a .info will have much effect on the bounce rate, assuming the content on the .info is valuable. However I do think it will have an effect on click through rate.
If Google were to treat .info any differently than .com they should announce it clearly and publicly, so I don't think they treat it any differently at all It would be really unethical for them to have any consideration in the slightest for the suffix without at least some warning well in advance