Ranking Factors: Domains Count

New Evidence

Note: this is part 5 of a multi-part series of SEO ranking boosters

Google’s Ranking Factors:  Domain Factors

Unveiling the mystery behind Google’s ranking factors!  While the exact number remains undisclosed, Google’s algorithm considers a vast array of signals to determine search results.  Here, we’ll explore a comprehensive list, including well-established factors, those debated by SEO experts, and some interesting theories.

Domain Factors

  1. Domain Age: Some SEOs believe older domains are inherently “trusted” by Google. However, Google’s John Mueller has stated that “domain age helps nothing.”  We at Monster believe older domains are a ranking factor.  * Update: Monster was right, Google’s recent document leak revealed older domains are given preference.
  2. Keyword in Top-Level Domain: Having a keyword in your domain name doesn’t provide the SEO boost it once did, but it still serves as a relevancy signal.
  3. Domain Registration Length: Search engines prioritize sending users to stable websites.  Registering your domain for 5 years shows Google you’re committed to your online presence, potentially giving you a slight SEO edge.
  4. “Valuable” (legitimate) domains are often paid for several years in advance, while doorway (illegitimate) domains rarely are used for more than a year.   Therefore, the date when a domain expires in the future can be used as a factor in predicting the legitimacy of a domain.”
  5. Keyword in Subdomain: Moz’s expert panel agrees that having a keyword in the subdomain can improve rankings.
  6. Domain History: A site with a history of volatile ownership or several drops may prompt Google to “reset” the site’s history, negating existing links.  Additionally, a penalized domain might carry its penalty over to the new owner.
  7. Exact Match Domain (EMD): EMDs likely have little to no direct SEO benefit.  However, low-quality EMDs are vulnerable to the EMD update.
  8. Public vs. Private WhoIs: Private WhoIs information may indicate “something to hide.” Matt Cutts of Google has noted: “…When I checked the whois on them, they all had ‘whois privacy protection service’ on them. That’s relatively unusual. …Having whois privacy turned on isn’t automatically bad, but once you get several of these factors all together, you’re often talking about a very different type of webmaster than the fellow who just has a single site or so.”
  9. Penalized WhoIs Owner:  If Google identifies a particular person as a spammer, it’s logical they would scrutinize other sites owned by that person.

Country TLD Extension: Having a Country Code Top-Level Domain (.cn, .pt, .ca) can help a site rank within that particular country, but it may limit the site’s ability to rank globally.