Google Auto-Prediction feature - Killing my Singular-form domains

[alien51]

Traffic in some of my singular-form domains have dropped. And i suspect its because Google's Instant Search prediction feature (default setting) is recommending the plural version of my domain to websurfers.

Just an example:

If a user starts typing "fancy handbag" on Google, Google offers you to click the search term "fancy handbags" instead. Which actually makes sense, because most people look for as many types of merchandise to window shop online.

The thing is, my domain ranks No.1 if the user types the singular version of the search term by itself (an exact search term match). But it drops down to no.7 when the user clicks the plural version of the search term. One of my singular domain was even booted down to page 2 for the plural search term.

The plural version suggested by Google, didn't exist before when i regged my domain. But now it does.

Maybe if your domain is a merchandise itself, like "handbags.com" - it's probably a solid domain. But if your domain is a web e-commerce store, it seems awkward to name your site in the plural sense like say "gadgetstores". If you name it like that, it seems like a site directory that lists the name of various other stores.

 

[serryjw]

Hi Alien, Total Newbie wants to know. I have a few good names. Should I register the singular and plural for all extensions?

 

[alien51]

If you are an end-user, in my experience, reg them both.

I have a competitor who grabbed either the singular or the plural version of my domain. Now, we are both ranking side-by-side on Google search. it's crazy.

 

[Name Trader]

If all the extensions are free for both the plural and singular, then you probably only need the .com plural and singular. It might depend on your intentions with the domain(s).