What is better for SEO purposes: domain name without or with "dash"?

[Michel Z.]

1. Wondering what will be best for SEO purposes: domain name without or with "dash", for example - "downloadfreesmileys.com" (= domain name without) or "download-free-smileys.com" (= domain with "dash")?

2. Also would like to know what you prefer: what is more beautiful/professional: domain name with or without "dash"?

Many thanks!

[James]

It's more professional to have no dash.

Google considers the dash to be like a space, but usually can spot the keyword with or without it.

Overall I'd say it's better to go without the slash.

[Shyflower]

It doesn't make any difference to the SEs whether you have a dash or not. As far as being professional, it depends on the domain and I really think it's a subjective choice.

I can't think of any off hand, but one time I read a thread in a different forum about how funny some words are when you string them together without dashes. As long as your domain name makes sense without dashes, I guess that would be my choice since it is the traditional way.

[KLB]

Like others, I don't think the dash matters to SEs. From a human perspective I like without better as it is easier to say. For example:

some example domain dot com

some dash example dash domain dot com

[The New Guy]

Its not always better without the, because some words are strange togethor.

expertsexchange for example (expert sex change).

[Chris]

dashes are better for SEO purposes. Many people confuse what they think looks best as what is best for search engines and that is not the case.

Search engine have gotten better at parsing keywords from runons, but they're not perfect at it.

The biggest way this helps is in incoming links. If you have parsable keywords in your URL, including your domain, then when someone uses your URL as the anchor text when linking to you you will get your keywords in the anchor text.

Here are the times when I'd use hyphens:

1. When you need every edge you can get.
2. When the hyphen version is the only one available.
3. When you plan on optimizing your homepage.
4. When you plan on getting most of your incoming links from others.

Here is when you don't use hyphens.

1. If you plan on advertising offline at all.
2. If the hyphenated version is taken.
3. When you don't plan on optimizing your homepage.
4. When you're providing most of your incoming links through your own sites.

A really good solution is to buy both versions of the name, use the hyphenated version, and keep the unhyphenated in reserve for any messed up type-ins.

As for number of hyphens, I don't like more than one. Simply because hyphens have been abused by spammers and many of them makes the site look spammy.

This site doesn't use a hyphen, because I have no plans on optimizing the homepage. Terms like "website publishing" aren't competitive enough to warrant it, and terms like "web development" are too competitive to warrant it.

[Shyflower]

Its not always better without the, because some words are strange togethor.

expertsexchange for example (expert sex change).

There ya go! That's one that I was trying to think of. :)

[Erin]

Great post, Chris.

Yeah, the experts-exchange example is a classic. They did used to be expertsexchange, I believe.

I think for hit-and-run sites (spammy sites, topical issues, etc.), hyphens are fine. But if you're in it for the long run, don't use hyphens.

I personally don't have the time to build sites that I don't expect to be around ten years from now, so none of my domains have hyphens.

[Giles]

Without the dash, definetly.

Its so much more professional, and easier to type. I hat having to reach up to the dash key.

[HAWK]

Its not always better without the, because some words are strange togethor.

expertsexchange for example (expert sex change). Or penisland. That's an old favourite of mine.

[Giles]

I've heard penisland before.

Another good one is RunEscape

[HAWK]

Another good one is RunEscape Nope. You've got me. What else can that be?

[James]

RuneScape; it's a game.

[HAWK]

Right. Gamer humour.

[etech-martin]

A hyphen in a domain doesn't make a major difference in SEs. The hyphen only separates the keywords which make them easily readable. If possible register both the name without a hyphen and with a hyphen. I think it is a smart idea to register both domains to pick up the added traffic from people who type it incorrectly.