Thread: Plural vs singular forms

If I want the domain soccerballs.com but only soccerball.com is available, how much of a difference would this make in the potential value of this domain. Say that soccer balls is searched 2x more on google. Also if someone searches soccer balls would mine still pop up as a decently ranked result for this even though I dont have the s at the end.

I think this don't make too much difference in value if you have good content and exact keyword in header and promotions . I have seen many domain names like this in google which rank similar to them .

If you search for soccerball.com then many times you can find soccerballs.com on front page too where s will be taken as silent . Believe me I have seen many domain while making search in google .

Yes it would rank decently despite the difference in the "s". You would not get the full exact match bonus, but you would still rank well.

As an example, I have a website where I had to take the domain with an extra "s" because the singular was already taken (I was targeting the singular form keyword). After about 5 months of being live, the website ranks #2 for the plural form due to exact match bonus, and ranks #8 for the singular form which was the original keyword I was intending to target. I'm sure with a little for work and time I will also be able to move it up to #1 or 2, but it is a lot easier with an exact match domain.

Originally Posted by tmongy

Yes it would rank decently despite the difference in the "s". You would not get the full exact match bonus, but you would still rank well.

As an example, I have a website where I had to take the domain with an extra "s" because the singular was already taken (I was targeting the singular form keyword). After about 5 months of being live, the website ranks #2 for the plural form due to exact match bonus, and ranks #8 for the singular form which was the original keyword I was intending to target. I'm sure with a little for work and time I will also be able to move it up to #1 or 2, but it is a lot easier with an exact match domain.

Yes exact keyword domain name help us a lot in good rankings . Most of such domains are purchased by website flippers and once they get good ranking , websites are sold for good amount .

It would not rank badly, but the plural (i.e. the exact match) would rank even better.

Soccerballs.com will rank better (exact match), you can also try soccer-balls.com. Should be a very good alternative because people search "soccer balls" not "soccerballs".

Originally Posted by Szise

Soccerballs.com will rank better (exact match), you can also try soccer-balls.com. Should be a very good alternative because people search "soccer balls" not "soccerballs".

Thanks for the nice tip buddy . Now I come to know why people use this minus sing gap between domain names now .

You should consider how many times people search for each variation .

Here is what Google says is the monthly search total for each.

soccerball 27,100

soccerballs 4,400

soccer ball 673,000

soccer balls 165,000


It looks to me like the singular versions are a better choice.

Originally Posted by TopDogger

soccerball 27,100
soccerballs 4,400
soccer ball 673,000
soccer balls 165,000

I take it that you used the Google Keyword Tool to make that list. Well, if you select "Match Type: Exact", which you should in this case, the "Global Monthly Search Volume" results change a bit:

[soccerball] 27,100
[soccerballs] 5,400
[soccer ball] 165,000
[soccer balls] 60,500

...but the message is pretty much the same.

Originally Posted by badmash

Now I come to know why people use this minus sing gap between domain names now .

Hi! You might be interested in reading this short page about hyphenation in domain names.