A keyword used in a domain name is not going to help a website rank for that keyword as stated by Google’s John Mueller. He advises website owners and SEOs that there is no ranking benefit related to having keywords in the domain name. The discussion about keyword-based domain extension was featured in the latest Ask Google Webmasters video and the question was raised which was:

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To which, Mueller addressed keywords in the top-level domains (TLDs) along with keywords in the domain in general.

Mueller’s Response To .jobs TLDs

“This is a really common question that comes up for the new top-level domains.

In short, no. You don’t get a special bonus like that from having a keyword in your top-level domain.

Anecdotally you can see that by searching naturally for anything that interests you.

I’d venture a guess that the top results don’t have those keywords as a domain ending. Often it’s not even in the URL at all. That’s by design.”

So it states that keywords in TLDs provide no ranking benefits, but what about when it comes to keywords anywhere in the URL?

Keywords In Domains Has No Ranking Benefit

Mueller then says that a keyword in a domain name will not help rank a website better for that keyword.

“Just because a website has a keyword in its domain name doesn’t mean that it’s more relevant than others for that keyword.

In short, you don’t need to put keywords in the domain name.”

This counters some of the ranking factors studies but Google’s official message is that a keyword in a domain will not maximize a website’s relevancy for related searches having that keyword. This has been consistent for years, even Mueller suggests that using a keyword in a domain name is an advantage for the website.

Mueller’s Statement

“From a practical point of view, it’s worth also keeping in mind that businesses evolve over time, and moving domains is hard.

So it often makes sense to pick a domain name that you can use for the long run and not necessarily one that just matches what you’re offering today.

For example, if you focus on making awesome blue widgets, and build your website on BestBlueWidgets.com, what do you do when you start offering red widgets?”

Rather than stressing on your website’s domain name, if it will help you rank for a specific keyword, instead focus on if it will stand for a long run. A domain that can be available to use for a long time, irrespective of how the business changes, has more value than a keyword in it.

Mueller States

“So instead of spending too much time on the domain name, or the top-level domain name, focus instead on building a site that you can continue to use for the long run.”

To know more watch the video below