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The question of domain name registration and its impact on SEO is not a new one. However, every so often, the question comes up. Would it be better to register your domain name for 5 years instead of renewing it for just another year?
In our past coverage, we reported that there are some signals sent by extended domain name registrations, including informing the search engines that your website is not spammy (you're here to stay). Google does weigh in on these signals, apparently (albeit not as much as other factors, obviously).
Domain name registration lengths may also show more about your commitment to your work. If you extend your registration for many years, it shows that you're serious about your business. I'd say that this is stronger than renewing it yearly every single year.
Others disagree that domain name registration lengths have any profound impact on SEO. Instead, the older the domain is (rather than the length of registration), the better it is.
Forum discussion continues at WebmasterWorld.
Update: It seems Google has gone on the record saying domain registration length does not impact rankings.
Comments:
N
05/25/2008 12:56 pm
I think keywords in domain effect it and domain age
No Name
05/27/2008 06:39 am
I think it should help ... everyone respects confidence and stability.
Pete
05/27/2008 10:32 am
With a lot of international domains you cannot register them for more than 2 years at a time... so if this was a signal, it would instantly disadvantage places like Australia and the UK. So if this is a signal I hope there are geo filters/modifiers to keep it fair for countries outside the US.
No Name
05/28/2009 03:05 pm
Yes, I think that long term domain registration does impact SEO ranking.
ooty
02/15/2010 10:30 am
yes I also think the long term registration will help in seo
Jack Fisher
10/24/2010 05:51 pm
is it really true or just speculation ??
Roger
10/29/2010 03:23 am
I'm sure it would be easy for Google to make the playing field fair for anyone with registration limits, as Pete suggested.
John Deere
01/29/2011 09:38 am
In view it doesn't really matter how long a domain name is regarding characters - as long as its memorable and ideally contains one of your keywords thats really as good as it gets. Obviously though if you get too long or complex (or too general) people will never remember your site name - and hence if they haven't book marked you... people are likely to never come back! http://www.usavehiclehub.com/equipment
joe
05/13/2012 03:44 pm
I would never choose a name that had little to do with my product. Google's algorithm is in constant change and who knows if tomorrow domain name is the most important part of SEO. Get a product-like name just in case! http://www.encontraramor.net