Search Engines News - Commentaires http://www.prweaver.com/blog/ en 2005-01-13T00:40:11+00:00 daily 1 2005-01-13T00:40:11+00:00 Google test : hyphen and underscore - Marcel http://www.prweaver.com/blog/2004/08/26/2-google-test-hyphen-and-underscore#c88 2005-01-13T00:40:11+00:00 Marcel I wish I had read this article before I started creating the structure for Ondernemingen.com... I figured I could use underscores for my subdirectories because Yahoo! does so, too --but perhaps Yahoo! is less dependent on being found in (other) search engines!? ;-) I'll see if there is a way to... I wish I had read this article before I started creating the structure for Ondernemingen.com... I figured I could use underscores for my subdirectories because Yahoo! does so, too --but perhaps Yahoo! is less dependent on being found in (other) search engines!? ;-)

I'll see if there is a way to limit the damage... Meanwhile, thanks for your analysis!

]]> Google test : hyphen and underscore - Mark Bradshaw http://www.prweaver.com/blog/2004/08/26/2-google-test-hyphen-and-underscore#c86 2005-01-05T20:41:29+00:00 Mark Bradshaw I have been buying up domain name with hyphens for some time now as the basis of my business, but I also use underscores within my URLS. From now on I will use hyphens only, but so far the mix has not been a huge disadvantage. Thanks for the analysis - its good to hear that others are thinking about... I have been buying up domain name with hyphens for some time now as the basis of my business, but I also use underscores within my URLS. From now on I will use hyphens only, but so far the mix has not been a huge disadvantage. Thanks for the analysis - its good to hear that others are thinking about this issue and how to deal with it!

]]> Google test : hyphen and underscore - Richard http://www.prweaver.com/blog/2004/08/26/2-google-test-hyphen-and-underscore#c80 2004-12-11T00:16:13+00:00 Richard What is next from Google ? Hei Nick, Jeg har problemer med å logge meg på som ny bruker i deres Forum... What is next from Google ?

Hei Nick, Jeg har problemer med å logge meg på som ny bruker i deres Forum

]]> trackback - Google test : hyphen and underscore - Kent J. Chen's Weblog http://www.prweaver.com/blog/2004/08/26/2-google-test-hyphen-and-underscore#c79 2004-12-10T22:08:54+00:00 Kent J. Chen's Weblog Should You Use Targeted Keywords In URLs?...

Should You Use Targeted Keywords In URLs?

]]> Google test : hyphen and underscore - Nick Humphrey http://www.prweaver.com/blog/2004/08/26/2-google-test-hyphen-and-underscore#c78 2004-12-09T06:25:56+00:00 Nick Humphrey We ran a test on a similiar case in May 2004. Sorry it's in norwegian. www.websynergy.no/diskusj...... We ran a test on a similiar case in May 2004. Sorry it's in norwegian.
www.websynergy.no/diskusj...

]]> Google test : hyphen and underscore - Marc http://www.prweaver.com/blog/2004/08/26/2-google-test-hyphen-and-underscore#c74 2004-11-28T08:36:31+00:00 Marc This puts to sleep any doubts I had re: which is better SEO-wise. Thanks!... This puts to sleep any doubts I had re: which is better SEO-wise. Thanks!

]]> Google test : hyphen and underscore - hero ventures http://www.prweaver.com/blog/2004/08/26/2-google-test-hyphen-and-underscore#c73 2004-11-25T09:00:58+00:00 hero ventures very very good observation i will be putting up a new website company registration services and will be using these ideas... very very good observation
i will be putting up a new website company registration services and will be using these ideas

]]> Google test : hyphen and underscore - Stig http://www.prweaver.com/blog/2004/08/26/2-google-test-hyphen-and-underscore#c70 2004-11-21T12:48:40+00:00 Stig I learned something today, Thanks for the information. Keep up the good work !!... I learned something today, Thanks for the information. Keep up the good work !!

]]> Google test : hyphen and underscore - Bog http://www.prweaver.com/blog/2004/08/26/2-google-test-hyphen-and-underscore#c69 2004-11-19T08:09:13+00:00 Bog You are right Jacy-underscore pages are OK... You are right Jacy-underscore pages are OK

]]> Google test : hyphen and underscore - Jacy http://www.prweaver.com/blog/2004/08/26/2-google-test-hyphen-and-underscore#c68 2004-11-18T22:33:41+00:00 Jacy Hmmmm....Google seems to love my underscore pages. I have been rated in the top 5 for quite some time when you do a search for items that have the same page name on my website that have underscores. Searching for "yamaha decals" or "yamaha decal" brings up results for my... Hmmmm....Google seems to love my underscore pages. I have been rated in the top 5 for quite some time when you do a search for items that have the same page name on my website that have underscores.
Searching for "yamaha decals" or "yamaha decal" brings up results for my webpage www.isitifast.com/yamaha_decals.htm Maybe this has to do with page content but it always bolds the keywords in the web address.

]]> Google test : hyphen and underscore - Steve http://www.prweaver.com/blog/2004/08/26/2-google-test-hyphen-and-underscore#c67 2004-11-18T20:17:47+00:00 Steve Good test and thanks for taking the time to do the research. Coincidentally I did something similar earlier in the week by doing searches on Google for specific keywords in high ranking websites' urls (that's the "Reader's Digest" version of what I was doing *grin*) - and my test... Good test and thanks for taking the time to do the research.

Coincidentally I did something similar earlier in the week by doing searches on Google for specific keywords in high ranking websites' urls (that's the "Reader's Digest" version of what I was doing *grin*) - and my test confirms what you discovered.

Underscores in domain, directory or file names are not word separators, while hyphens are.

But.. I have noticed that google (at least) seems to be able to pick out individual words in domain name strings too... i.e. do a google search for: dog supply
You'll see the word "dog" bolded in the domain names of some the top results even though they are a part of a string or words in the url without separators. One keyword and often both KWs can be picked out from the other words in the domain name by Google.

It's always best (if possible) to have your primary keyword(s) in your domain name.

And a couple of other comments in regards to above posts...

re: "I just registered alameda-dentist.com for a customer of mine and now he appears on the first page of Google results whereas before, with his original domain drhinkle.com, he wasn't showing up at all."

That was likely more due to the fact his new domain name has keywords in it: almeda-dentist has the city and profession (likely search factors customers would use) whereas "drhinkle" would only rank high with a search for his name ("Dr Hinkle", I presume), all things being equal.


re: telling people your domain name when there are hyphens (i.e. "www dash domainname hyphen dot com" etc). That's why I always get both the hyphenated and non-hyphenated domain names for my sites. Hyphenated version for links (so the SEs can better see the keywords in my domain name) and non-hyphenated for verbally passing along my website address.

PLUS... if your site is successful, you want to make sure a competitor doesn't buy the other version of your domain. That could cause customer confusion and/or branding problems for you.

For an extra $8.95 it's worth having both versions and then just host the hyphenated version and redirect the non-hyphenated version to it.

Win-Win for less than 9 bucks. :)

That's my 2 cents. Thanks for the article and hope my comments were of interest,

-Steve
Arcana Media

]]> Google test : hyphen and underscore - Bobi http://www.prweaver.com/blog/2004/08/26/2-google-test-hyphen-and-underscore#c65 2004-11-18T13:50:55+00:00 Bobi Great stuff! I always wondered what was the correct replacement for space. Very good research indeed!... Great stuff! I always wondered what was the correct replacement for space. Very good research indeed!

]]> Google test : hyphen and underscore - Roy http://www.prweaver.com/blog/2004/08/26/2-google-test-hyphen-and-underscore#c64 2004-11-18T10:59:46+00:00 Roy Great to have additional confirmation of what I've learned on my own through trial and error. Hyphenated domains REALLY DO give a boost that can make up for lack of backlinks. Case in point:... Great to have additional confirmation of what I've learned on my own through trial and error. Hyphenated domains REALLY DO give a boost that can make up for lack of backlinks. Case in point:

]]> Google test : hyphen and underscore - Milind http://www.prweaver.com/blog/2004/08/26/2-google-test-hyphen-and-underscore#c62 2004-11-18T05:50:44+00:00 Milind Excellent! Definately it will help us opmizing our web pages. Thanks once again... Excellent!

Definately it will help us opmizing our web pages.

Thanks once again

]]> Google test : hyphen and underscore - Michael http://www.prweaver.com/blog/2004/08/26/2-google-test-hyphen-and-underscore#c61 2004-11-17T19:02:34+00:00 Michael There have been a few posted comments about whether to use hyphens in your domain names. Absolutely YES! I just registered alameda-dentist.com for a customer of mine and now he appears on the first page of Google results whereas before, with his original domain drhinkle.com, he wasn't showing up at... There have been a few posted comments about whether to use hyphens in your domain names. Absolutely YES! I just registered alameda-dentist.com for a customer of mine and now he appears on the first page of Google results whereas before, with his original domain drhinkle.com, he wasn't showing up at all.

Michael

]]> Google test : hyphen and underscore - david sith http://www.prweaver.com/blog/2004/08/26/2-google-test-hyphen-and-underscore#c60 2004-11-17T14:16:30+00:00 david sith I have been considering using hyphens when buying a domain name... I have been considering using hyphens when buying a domain name

]]> Google test : hyphen and underscore - jay hands http://www.prweaver.com/blog/2004/08/26/2-google-test-hyphen-and-underscore#c59 2004-11-17T10:54:39+00:00 jay hands Am i correct in presuming that you should also use hyphens in html pages also so for example www.keyword-keyword.com/k... Great research thanks.... Am i correct in presuming that you should also use hyphens in html pages also so for example www.keyword-keyword.com/k...

Great research thanks.

]]> Google test : hyphen and underscore - Eparnaoids http://www.prweaver.com/blog/2004/08/26/2-google-test-hyphen-and-underscore#c58 2004-11-17T10:34:50+00:00 Eparnaoids Great Study, but i see sites with underscore also on top of serps.... Great Study, but i see sites with underscore also on top of serps.

]]> Google test : hyphen and underscore - Gareth http://www.prweaver.com/blog/2004/08/26/2-google-test-hyphen-and-underscore#c57 2004-11-17T09:17:33+00:00 Gareth Great, so i've been on the right track, thanks for confirming this.... Great,

so i've been on the right track, thanks for confirming this.

]]> Google test : hyphen and underscore - NET MAN http://www.prweaver.com/blog/2004/08/26/2-google-test-hyphen-and-underscore#c54 2004-11-17T07:00:11+00:00 NET MAN Vishael, you're confused.... by virtue of the hyphen representing a space, if you search for either "casino software india" or casino software india as a single search, then you do come up first. searching on any word independantly of the others doesn't give your domain name any... Vishael, you're confused.... by virtue of the hyphen representing a space, if you search for either
"casino software india"
or
casino software india
as a single search, then you do come up first.

searching on any word independantly of the others doesn't give your domain name any preference.

]]> Google test : hyphen and underscore - Vishal Agrahari http://www.prweaver.com/blog/2004/08/26/2-google-test-hyphen-and-underscore#c53 2004-11-17T05:54:29+00:00 Vishal Agrahari Hi there, It's a great test but I don't agree fully with this test. bcze as you see i have used hyphen in my website domain name. but it won't work when I search for casino or software or india. According to your test when i search on this keywod in google my site should be at... Hi there,

It's a great test but I don't agree fully with this test. bcze as you see i have used hyphen in my website domain name. but it won't work when I search for casino or software or india.

According to your test when i search on this keywod in google my site should be at least in first page.

Please help me how can i get my site on first page of google on use of these keywords.

Thanks

vishal agrahari

]]> Google test : hyphen and underscore - sel_nyc http://www.prweaver.com/blog/2004/08/26/2-google-test-hyphen-and-underscore#c52 2004-11-17T05:49:26+00:00 sel_nyc I've always thought that as difficult as it is to tell someone your URL with a hyphen ("That's T-E-S-L-A-with a hyphen, NO, wait, it's a dash, hey, you know, a little line, not the underscore, now wait just a goldarn minnit..."). I like how it takes words that have no business (or... I've always thought that as difficult as it is to tell someone your URL with a hyphen ("That's T-E-S-L-A-with a hyphen, NO, wait, it's a dash, hey, you know, a little line, not the underscore, now wait just a goldarn minnit...").

I like how it takes words that have no business (or sense) being squeezed together and breaks 'em up into human-sized chunks. While I also own the domain "teslapc.com", I consider "tesla-pc.com" to be my primary name, the one that all others (and there are more than a few) resolve to...

]]> Google test : hyphen and underscore - Deep http://www.prweaver.com/blog/2004/08/26/2-google-test-hyphen-and-underscore#c51 2004-11-17T05:22:59+00:00 Deep Great test... btw i think commans in page url might mean termination or end of url or something... but i am not very sure about it.. Deep... Great test...
btw i think commans in page url might mean termination or end of url or something...
but i am not very sure about it..

Deep

]]> Google test : hyphen and underscore - nit http://www.prweaver.com/blog/2004/08/26/2-google-test-hyphen-and-underscore#c50 2004-11-17T04:36:38+00:00 nit as in page names not for domain names of course..is there any difference between using a comma or a - for that?... as in page names not for domain names of course..is there any difference between using a comma or a - for that?

]]> Google test : hyphen and underscore - nit http://www.prweaver.com/blog/2004/08/26/2-google-test-hyphen-and-underscore#c49 2004-11-17T04:32:02+00:00 nit so what about commas?... so what about commas?

]]> Google test : hyphen and underscore - VFunk http://www.prweaver.com/blog/2004/08/26/2-google-test-hyphen-and-underscore#c47 2004-11-17T01:22:33+00:00 VFunk I agree i have now started to use hyphens and do away with underscores..... I agree

i have now started to use hyphens and do away with underscores..

]]> Google test : hyphen and underscore - NET MAN http://www.prweaver.com/blog/2004/08/26/2-google-test-hyphen-and-underscore#c46 2004-11-17T01:11:38+00:00 NET MAN > Conclusion: Google sees hyphens as dividers in URLs and ignores underscores Note that Google doesn't totally ignore underscores... that is to say that if you search for the words WITHOUT the underscore separating them, there is no match! e.g. mazidipolevukertalet = 0 results! -- NET... > Conclusion: Google sees hyphens as dividers in URLs and ignores underscores

Note that Google doesn't totally ignore underscores... that is to say that if you search for the words WITHOUT the underscore separating them, there is no match!

e.g. mazidipolevukertalet = 0 results!

--
NET MAN
www.TheNetCave.com

]]> Google test : hyphen and underscore - David Springer http://www.prweaver.com/blog/2004/08/26/2-google-test-hyphen-and-underscore#c45 2004-11-16T23:45:49+00:00 David Springer I agree with Rick above I have always been using hyphens but never knew for sure. Someone up there likes me today usually if its a 50-50 I go the wrong way :) David Springer Baltimore, MD www.SovereignFunding.com... I agree with Rick above I have always been using hyphens but never knew for sure.

Someone up there likes me today usually if its a 50-50 I go the wrong way :)

David Springer
Baltimore, MD
www.SovereignFunding.com

]]> Google test : hyphen and underscore - Rick Hendershot http://www.prweaver.com/blog/2004/08/26/2-google-test-hyphen-and-underscore#c44 2004-11-16T23:21:23+00:00 Rick Hendershot Well done! I've been using hyphens in domain names for years, but always hesitated. No more hesitation. -- Rick www.biz-blogs.com... Well done! I've been using hyphens in domain names for years, but always hesitated.

No more hesitation.

-- Rick

www.biz-blogs.com

]]> Google test : hyphen and underscore - KajKandler http://www.prweaver.com/blog/2004/08/26/2-google-test-hyphen-and-underscore#c43 2004-11-16T22:31:29+00:00 KajKandler Thierry wrote: "Do you mean that Google will not consider databaseontario.com domain as being database and ontario? Should one really consider buying database-ontario.com? thanks!" The resounding answer is: Yes ! Rob - How about? $pagename=str_replace('_','-',$pagename); Great... Thierry wrote:
"Do you mean that Google will not consider databaseontario.com domain as being database and ontario?
Should one really consider buying database-ontario.com? thanks!"

The resounding answer is: Yes !

Rob - How about?
$pagename=str_replace('_','-',$pagename);

Great Research!
K<o>
---
www.Conficio.com - We Transform computer Jargon into Visual Help

]]> Google test : hyphen and underscore - Frank http://www.prweaver.com/blog/2004/08/26/2-google-test-hyphen-and-underscore#c42 2004-11-16T22:15:19+00:00 Frank Do ellipes ... have any effect in any search engines?... Do ellipes ... have any effect in any search engines?

]]> Google test : hyphen and underscore - Thierry http://www.prweaver.com/blog/2004/08/26/2-google-test-hyphen-and-underscore#c41 2004-11-16T21:54:52+00:00 Thierry Do you mean that Google will not consider databaseontario.com domain as being database and ontario? should one really consider buying database-ontario.com? thanks!... Do you mean that Google will not consider databaseontario.com domain as being database and ontario?

should one really consider buying database-ontario.com? thanks!

]]> Google test : hyphen and underscore - Rob http://www.prweaver.com/blog/2004/08/26/2-google-test-hyphen-and-underscore#c40 2004-11-16T21:09:56+00:00 Rob I've always wondered whether I was losing out by using underscores as spaces! It's so easy to use the underscore in dynamic pages, because it is easily converted to a space using PHP, for example: $pagename=str_replace('_',' ',$pagename); I can't easily start using dashes as spaces, because some... I've always wondered whether I was losing out by using underscores as spaces! It's so easy to use the underscore in dynamic pages, because it is easily converted to a space using PHP, for example: $pagename=str_replace('_',' ',$pagename);
I can't easily start using dashes as spaces, because some product have a dash in their names, for example: Allegra-D, Retin-A

Oh well, I'll have to find another system. :(

]]> trackback - Google test : hyphen and underscore - SuperWAHMZ http://www.prweaver.com/blog/2004/08/26/2-google-test-hyphen-and-underscore#c39 2004-11-16T20:47:41+00:00 SuperWAHMZ How to Name Your Web Pages Here's a GREAT analysis on the advantage of hyphens over underscores in web page names: Google test : hyphen and underscore - Articles about link building and PageRank......

How to Name Your Web Pages

Here's a GREAT analysis on the advantage of hyphens over underscores in web page names: Google test : hyphen and underscore - Articles about link building and PageRank...

]]> Google test : hyphen and underscore - Opa http://www.prweaver.com/blog/2004/08/26/2-google-test-hyphen-and-underscore#c38 2004-11-16T20:43:20+00:00 Opa Excellent Test! The results suggest that the use of HYPHENS is preferable when selecting a "Keyword" rich domain name. Bert (SEO / SEM) www.antonik.net... Excellent Test!
The results suggest that the use of HYPHENS is preferable when selecting a "Keyword" rich domain name.

Bert (SEO / SEM)
www.antonik.net

]]> Google test : hyphen and underscore - Bill http://www.prweaver.com/blog/2004/08/26/2-google-test-hyphen-and-underscore#c37 2004-11-16T20:30:30+00:00 Bill can this work with dynamic pages? I would lkike to try it for www.celebratelimo.com... can this work with dynamic pages? I would lkike to try it for www.celebratelimo.com

]]> Google test : hyphen and underscore - Dan Guay http://www.prweaver.com/blog/2004/08/26/2-google-test-hyphen-and-underscore#c36 2004-11-16T20:23:30+00:00 Dan Guay Great test! Nice to know we can trust what GoogleGuy says. Should be an interesting couple of months for us SEO's :-)... Great test! Nice to know we can trust what GoogleGuy says. Should be an interesting couple of months for us SEO's :-)

]]> Google test : hyphen and underscore - David Craig http://www.prweaver.com/blog/2004/08/26/2-google-test-hyphen-and-underscore#c35 2004-11-16T20:01:12+00:00 David Craig I have been considering using hyphens when buying a domain name in order for the search engines to pick up on the key words. I wonder if the search engines would pick up on this e.g. registering internet-marketing.com or a variation!... I have been considering using hyphens when buying a domain name in order for the search engines to pick up on the key words. I wonder if the search engines would pick up on this e.g. registering internet-marketing.com or a variation!

]]>