Change in Google algorithm and keyword domains

[cam1taylor]

I recently received an offer for a domain for $50 that I thought was worth much more along with a statement along the lines of "google doesn't use keywords in urls anymore so keyword domains aren't worth much". I thought this was just a way to get my domain for a low price, then I did some research and found this to at least be a valid speculation. 1- Will or has google lessened the importance of keyword domains? 2- Is this going to significantly reduce keyword domain prices?

 

[namenut]

For undeveloped, parked, duplicate and or landing pages ..... #1 yes and #2 yes.

Developed domains with fresh content are what G[][]G finds appealing and relevant.

 

[Name Trader]

I don't think this will cause a significant reduction in values. these are still the best domains to have.

 

[misterman88]

I recently received an offer for a domain for $50 that I thought was worth much more along with a statement along the lines of "google doesn't use keywords in urls anymore so keyword domains aren't worth much". I thought this was just a way to get my domain for a low price, then I did some research and found this to at least be a valid speculation. 1- Will or has google lessened the importance of keyword domains? 2- Is this going to significantly reduce keyword domain prices?

i think you are forgetting that keyword domain prices are set by the DOMAIN OWNER-not google and the purpose of keyword domains is also "type-in" traffic which makes the domain owner LESS dependent on what google does. targeted traffic without google, bing, or yahoo will never lose value in my opinion.:imho:

 

[Sparhawke]

Google may place less importance on keyword domains but people will not, it will still be desirable to have an exact match domain because that is what people remember.

 

[John Baron]

I recently received an offer for a domain for $50 that I thought was worth much more along with a statement along the lines of "google doesn't use keywords in urls anymore so keyword domains aren't worth much". I thought this was just a way to get my domain for a low price, then I did some research and found this to at least be a valid speculation. 1- Will or has google lessened the importance of keyword domains? 2- Is this going to significantly reduce keyword domain prices?

google Matt Cutts say recently that they are thinking of reducing the power of keyword domain.

may happen or may not happen - the fact is that for now - exact match domain names still have a big plus on the ranks.

here is Matt Cutts talking about it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAWFv43qubI

 

[alien51]

Supposed to be, the value in keyword domains is that they are "easy to remember". It's a great marketing position if people can recall your "brand" from memory based on their needs. So i think it makes sense for Google to give some degree of "edge" on keyword domains.

So all you need to do is combine "keyword domains" + "great quality content", and you will have a solid, unbeatable position.

The only reason why (i think) a keyword domain would suck, is when its website content sucks.

So if you tweak the Google algo, you end up with say: Keywords in domain (+5 pts), Website content sucks (-5 pts). Your net domain value = zero. lol

So again, make sure once you are able to possess a nice keyword domain, capitalize on it by adding quality content.

I think all this pricing speculation are based on "domainers" value--- people trading names with each other. But for endusers, keyword domains are great. They are easy to remember. Good for selling merchandise.

 

[TestCase]

i think you are forgetting that keyword domain prices are set by the DOMAIN OWNER-not google and the purpose of keyword domains is also "type-in" traffic which makes the domain owner LESS dependent on what google does. targeted traffic without google, bing, or yahoo will never lose value in my opinion.:imho:

What he and Sparhawk said... :bingo:

Don't fall for the potential buyer's "Google doesn't love or care about your domain" psychological warfare...

If you REALLY believe the domain has a higher value then tell the potential buyer "NO" and then tell him how much YOU really want for it.

My 2 cents...

 

[mrjohn]

A change in keyword importance is not the same as abolishing keyword importance.

In conclusion, the guy was trying to sucker the OP.

 

[JB Lions]

The first response by namenut was on point.

"google Matt Cutts say recently that they are thinking of reducing the power of keyword domain"

Don't pay attention to what he says. The SERPS tell you all you need to know. They're the truth. Some things they put out there for their benefit. The simplest thing to do is go right to the source, Google. To this day, they still rank fine and they will continue to, as long as you have a site whose content matches the domain.

 

[lincolndsp]

if he tells you keywords don't or won't mean a thing then tell your potential buyer to go ahead and register a brandable and not bother you with peanuts

 

[cam1taylor]

ya that's basically what I told the potential buyer

 

[WordWalker]

Matt did not specifically address domain names consisting of EXACT MATCH KEYWORDS. Just keywords in general. For example, with a domain based on the keywords, “brain computer interface”, how many dotCOM domain names contain only these keywords in this particular order? So, when submitting a search query for “brain computer interface” (with or without quotes), how many other dotCOM domain names are actually competing for exact match relevance with the keywords in the search query? Zero.

Here’s another issue with turning down the knob on exact match keywords: What if the actual name of the business consists solely of those exact match keywords? If Google modifies the algorithm, you run the risk that searching for a company website using the exact company name (and therefore, the exact match keywords) may cause difficulty in locating the official company web site because Google would have attached less weight to the very words that formed the name of the business being searched for!

It’s like saying, “Let’s improve relevancy by coding a search engine algorithm to ignore EXACT MATCHES between the keywords being searched and the keywords contained in the domain name.”

When coding a search algorithm for threshold relevancy, how could you possibly find a better match than when the keywords being searched EXACTLY MATCH the keywords in the domain name? Once relevancy is established, move on to an analysis of website content and quality. That’s an entirely different issue. Let’s not confuse the two.

 

[cam1taylor]

My thoughts exactly! Seems to me like it is a way for the biggest companies to get complete market shares. Stockholders have a lot of power I suppose

 

[mrjohn]

if he tells you keywords don't or won't mean a thing then tell your potential buyer to go ahead and register a brandable and not bother you with peanuts

This is very true. What's the trade in it for him if the domain keywords are worth nothing in themselves?

 

[alien51]

I think WoodWalker has a good grasp on how humans can defeat software.

Algorithm is just a code of if-and-then. As long as you know how the thing works, the creative mind can find a solution to circumvent the structure.

I guess the "talent" that you need is to clearly identify what is "black" and "white" tactics, then keep yourself within the "gray" area. lol

 

[Domainate.com]

Tell him that Google still bolds the words in the domain that match the search, which is indication enough that they place importance in matching domains. That and note that a site like CreditCards.com still ranks #1 for credit cards over huge credit authorities Experian, TransUnion, Equifax, FICO, and every credit card maker including Visa, Mastercard, Amex and Discover.

 

[alien51]

Yes, and as i seet it, creditcards.com is just one big "aggregator" of infos about credit cards, but it has a high page rank.

Which brings up the point, that "aggregator"-type sites are not necessarily sites devoid of value. They might not have original content, but they are still useful. Combine a "useful" website + "keyword match domain", and you have a solid position.

An interesting question is, do you think creditcards.com will rank on top if it was just a 1-page minisite describing what a credit card is in Wikipedia-type writing style?

 

[SiberForum]

I suppose that the google algorithm indexes every website with a date or a similar value. Some infractions of this kind and google will kick your website out of there index - mostly for ever! You should also create Sitemap of a sire..