Exact Match Domains - Why are they still dominating?

[cyberlicious]

Fantastic day!

I am seeing exact match domains still dominating.  SEOmoz has some insight: http://www.seomoz.org/blog/exact-match-domains-are-far-too-powerful-is-their-time-limited

But that's from two years ago.  Is Google ever going to target the manipulators that buy up all the exact match domains?

One of our partners is getting the itch, and I am running out of explanations on why we don't manipulate.  But if these practices are dominating their industry, what to do?  I have to get paid to feed the family so just telling the client buh-bye isn't going to work.  At least not in this stage of agency building.

Their root domain doesn't do much for them, however, you know we well optimize those subdomains and rank those fine.

But if my client can just buy an exact match domain, and it will take less SEO work to get it ranked then why not?  He has the SEO expert in his back pocket to clean up the mess IF they would even get a penalty or drop in rank.

Is all SEO really is find algo hole, manipulate, penalty, fix, find algo hole, manipulate, penalty, fix.  Wash. Rinse. Repeat.

Please share your experiences and insight!

Thanks,

Ben

[cyberlicious]

Let me add that they will also buy the LLC to match the domain...

[AndreVanKets]

Hi Ben.

Now more than ever Google is focusing on Brands rather than standard "keyword rich" websites.

Brands offer trust more than anything and is by far the best way to go if you plan on building a long lasting online business...

"Budget Car Rental" is a real brand, but then its also a money making term. Google has clearly recognised the term as a brand which is great and if your client can do the same, then no harm done.

It gets manipulative when your brand is "ABC car rental" and your website is "Budget car rental.com"

The only reason exact match domains are still ranking I presume is because Google is still tied up in identifying which are brands, and which are there solely for ranking benefits. Google's not stupid and things are changing fast.

I guess the best way to explain it to your client is to say:

For short term ranks with no guaranteeing on future success, then choose a URL with the sole objective of manipulating Google into ranking you well.

Or

Choose a brand name and built trust that will last for years to come.

If they choose to go the manipulative route, then at least you have done all you can to educate them leaving you with a clean conscious for when they regret the decision made.

Just my 2c worth...

Greg

[cyberlicious]

Thanks Greg!

I educate until I'm blue in the face then they read some black hat strategy, go look at their SERPs, and see it working for their competitors.  LOL

But yes, preaching the long term is what it's all about.

You're two cents is worth a dollar, my friend!  

Here's the thing.  There is no limit to buying LLCs.  So if they match the domain to the LLC, how in the world will Google be even able to detect the manipulative brands that are brands but not really brands.

Thanks again!

[EGOL]

You have a big bug in your bonnet about exact match domains.  

You think that they are helpful for ranking a website and I agree.

But, building a site on those domains is not black hat or manipulation.  It's simply a good idea.  It is no different than buying a great piece of land on a high traffic highway to build a store.

Anybody can own these domains.  You simply have to be willing to pay the price.  I've paid an obscene price several times and it has been a fantastic investment in the long run.

You can do it too.

But owning those domains will not automatically get you rankings.  You still have to do a lot of work to make that happen in valuable SERPs.

Building a great website is the best way to dominate a niche.   If you do that traffic, links and rankings will all improve over time and you can make a lot of money tending to just the basics of SEO.

[cyberlicious]

It's the king of content himself!  It's been awhile.  Hope things are great with you!

I think I'll take the "bite my lip" approach then deep breath then try to explain it one more time.  Wish me luck!

[Zoolander]

Maybe another factor is how if other people complementarily link to your site without you knowing they aren't necessarily thinking about your SEO, so an exact match provides automatic anchor text?