Exact Match Domains (EMDs) - are they still a good idea?

[tke71709]

might there be any advantage in having the generic .co EMD?

If you were targeting Columbia, then sure. Otherwise no more than any other country specific domain extension.

[golles]

If you were targeting Columbia, then sure. Otherwise no more than any other country specific domain extension.

agreed a ccTLD EMD or category defining name will usually outperform a (non .com) TLD in that specific country in terms of conversion once the visitor is on the site.

The conversion difference between a .com and a ccTLD in English speaking countries has been almost negligible in the tests I have been involved with - admittedly these were all ecommerce related tests though.

[Edo]

Short answer: Yes.

Longer answer: As other people have already said a good EMD in a reputable extension helps conversions, click-thru etc. Jimmifli hit the nail on the head though when he mentioned the importance of Google allowing a high rate of EM incoming anchor text to an EMD. In my experience that makes all the difference. It's a huge factor in a SEO war and I'd hate to fight against it if someone also knew what they were doing on-page.

As for EMDs dropping down in Google, there's very litttle hard evidence of this for half-decent EMD sites. Most of the EMD sites that have been hit are thinner than a sheet of paper, but those kinds of sites got whacked across the board post-Panda.

[ian]

After this most recent Panda update I've noticed that my EMD's have jumped up significantly and my non-EMD domains have lost positions to competitors with EMD's (even if their content is sub par).

[golles]

After this most recent Panda update I've noticed that my EMD's have jumped up significantly and my non-EMD domains have lost positions to competitors with EMD's (even if their content is sub par).

i will second that - I am seeing the same on SOME of the serps I am monitoring.

[SalahStudios]

EMDs still have a level of benefit but I don't bother with them too much as they rarely have the branding and scope that I'm looking for in a domain, those things are more important to me in a domain name as I can rank with or without an EMD.

[KenW3]

EMDs still have a level of benefit but I don't bother with them too much as they rarely have the branding and scope that I'm looking for in a domain, those things are more important to me in a domain name as I can rank with or without an EMD.

In looking at sites you have built and offered for sale, this appears to contradict prior views, given the domain names and content structure. Did something happen to change your mind? I have always found ranking an EMD to be easier, all other things being equal.

What qualities do you look for in a name to provide the branding and scope preferred?