Does domain name matter in Google and Yahoo rank?

[MeanerDomainer]

Does a domain name that matches the search term impact google and yahoo rank? If yes, how much?

For example, assume that someone searches for only 1 word:

"career"

There are 4 sites with "Career" in the domain name:

Career.com
Career.ya (.ya or any other rare ccTLD)
CareerTrack.com (or any other 2 word dot.com strarting with "career"
DreemCareerMaker.com (or any other 3 word wonder.com with "career" in it.)

Assuming that all sites have exactly identical backlinks and SEO, how would these sites likely rank in google and yahoo?

Would Career.com always beat the other 3?
Would CareerTrack.com beat Career.ya?
Would DreamCareerMaker.com beat Career.ya?

And another question:
If the domain name is factored into the search engine algorithm, is CareerTrack.com better for SEO than SuperCareer.com because CareerTrack.com begins with "career".

Thank you very much in advance!!!

 

[mhdoc]

I think you will find this article helpful

http://www.websitepublisher.net/article/choosing_domain_name/2

 

[bluearrow]

When it comes to Google most important thing is backlinks and i think connect is most important thing for yahoo. Domain with keyword include is a real advantage because it gives you more chances to use yr keyword without keyword spamming.

 

[sufi]

For Google, unique and fresh content is the best option to get better SERPs. Backlinks from relevant sites make it the best thing. I don't know much about Yahoo but MSN does respect domain names or keywords in domain names.

 

[Sixxer]

I think its the same... As long as the keyword is in it, it doesnt matter. I done it before and yes backlinks are very important. Make sure its fresh content though.

 

[deep_3657]

Assuming that all sites have exactly identical backlinks and SEO, how would these sites likely rank in google and yahoo?

Would Career.com always beat the other 3?
Would CareerTrack.com beat Career.ya?
Would DreamCareerMaker.com beat Career.ya?

And another question:
If the domain name is factored into the search engine algorithm, is CareerTrack.com better for SEO than SuperCareer.com because CareerTrack.com begins with "career".

Thank you very much in advance!!!

When all other SEO situation is identical, then this is where Keyword density of domain name comes into play.
Therefore as per your question career.com would be no1, careertrack no2 and dreamcareermaker no3.

supercareer.com and careertrack.com would have have equal weightage because both of them have 5 character extra than the keyword, hence keyword density of both of them is equal.

However being in a situation where all domains have identical SEO is unpractical.