What is an exact match domain?

Here's a question I bet a lot of beginners want to know. What is an exact match domain name. You might be asking why is that important? Most SEO experts seem to agree that an exact match domain gets a rankings boost. So, what is an exact match domain?

First, let's agree on a keyword. For our example we'll use "webmaster tools". Which of the following is an exact match domain?

1) www.freewebmastertools.com
2) www.webmastertools.net
3) www.webmaster-tools.com
4) www.webmastertools.com

I believe ONLY number 4 is an exact match. This is because it contains the keywords, and only the keywords without extra words, dashes, or underscores, and it's a .com

What about everyone else? What do you think?

2 & 4 are exact matching domains, as long as you choose for .com, .net, .org it doesn't make a big difference.

Ofcourse webmastertools.be is an exact match domain too, but it won't perform that good in Google.Com, like webmastertools.com/.org/.net will ;) (In most cases)

Greetz!

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Originally Posted by Aquarezz

2 & 4 are exact matching domains, as long as you choose for .com, .net, .org it doesn't make a big difference.

Ofcourse webmastertools.be is an exact match domain too, but it won't perform that good in Google.Com, like webmastertools.com/.org/.net will ;) (In most cases)

Greetz!

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OK I have a question for you. The exact match domain I want is registered and parked, so I believe a domainer is either making money from it, or waiting for a good offer before selling.

I'm not interested in offering for a parked domain, and I believe I can get a lot more backlinks than the .com exact match and therefore probably rank higher than it. So should I register the .net or .org exact match, or find another domain name?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by elbandelero

OK I have a question for you. The exact match domain I want is registered and parked, so I believe a domainer is either making money from it, or waiting for a good offer before selling.

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Could be, I have a few good domains I'm doing nothing with -- but I should as I paid money for them which is a little bit over my budget even. But now they're just parked as I'm going to put something on them soon. Maybe they're thinking the same :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by elbandelero

I'm not interested in offering for a parked domain, and I believe I can get a lot more backlinks than the .com exact match and therefore probably rank higher than it. So should I register the .net or .org exact match, or find another domain name?

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I'd buy the .org extension if it's available ;) Remember the old days that when you searched for NetBuilders in Google? NetBuilders.Com was first, look were it is now ;)

Go for it mate! :punk: