Are keyword rich domains a problem?

[ulstrup]

For searches related to high competition keywords (medical, real estate, gambling, travel, etc.) I've found a rise in numbers of keyword stuffed domains over the last 3 month, domains like www.keyword1-keyword2-keyword3.com. These sites are usually affiliate or promotional sites, which is OK as long as they deliver, but how long will Google and other engines allow domains like that?

Do you think the SE's, will start looking at these kinds of domains as spam?

[pageoneresults]

If, and its a big if, the SE's start to degrade sites using multiple hyphens in their domain name, I think 3 and above would probably be the starting point. Most sites I see with 1 or 2 hyphens are pretty much on target.

You have to keep in mind that the domain is a small part of the equation. In theory, if you've optimized the site correctly, and you have the domain that matches your targeted keyword phrase, you should be in the top ten positions for that phrase, it's always worked that way as far as I can remember.

Want to test the hyphenated domain theory? Just go to Yahoo! and type in your keyword phrase searches. Take a close look at the serps, you'll see that Yahoo! still bolds the terms when it is found in the domain or directory path name. As you can see, the domain name is not everything. In fact, it's just a small part of the overall strategy. If you didn't have a keyword rich domain, it still does not matter. There are other factors that come into play.

I would suggest taking a look at your strategies if you are using 3, 4 and 5 word hyphenated domains. Some may be viable, others may not. Most of us know why people are using hyphenated domains. There are pretty much two reasons; the unhyphenated version was not available or, its being used in a SEO promotional kind of way. ;)

History has shown us that whenever something works in influencing the serps, abuse shortly follows. When the abuse becomes rampant, which is a consideration in the hyphenated domain strategy, the SE's need to take action. It may be time to look at other strategies which in the long run, may also fall from grace. It would be nice to know those in advance!

[rfgdxm1]

Good point pageoneresults. It wouldn't make sense that, if I run a site fuzzy-blue-soft-round-widgets.com, I'm going to be optimizting for those words in the domain in the on page text, directory structure, etc. A lot of people may be confused that it is the domain name that is giving the good SERPs. If Google stopped giving any weight to the domain name, then the site would just do well from the keyword stuffed on page text.

[Umbertide]

Yes it is spam, but only in the sense of all promotional devices used to reach customers. Look in any hard copy of yellow pages and you'll see plenty of entires along the same lines, all with similar contact numbers.

Also SEOs love using this tactic as it gets better results for clients and bosses.

BUT has anyone taken the point of view of the customer?

I confess to having more than one domain that point (eventually) to the same contact me point, although the content is pretty different in tone and style on each one.

Interestingly, the traffic from my keyword-keyword2-keyword3 domains are more prolific but the conversions are worse than my 'branded site'. Both appear on page one of my chosen keyword search result.

Its well known that online buyer behavour rests on three issues:

1. Trust - I believe that you're gonna get me what I want at the right price, when I want it
2. Security - without ripping me off or harming me
3. Loyalty (if buying again) - because I have bought from you before without any problems

The triumvarate of any 'brand'. The final point is essential - the old adage being that its much cheaper to sell to a customer than a prospective one.

But can keyword domains help towards any of these?

And what happens if google changes the algo to exclude them? Gold rush over? Or more fee earning potential for SEOs?