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Sometimes I see these unique questions in the SEO forums and I just have to share them.
This one comes from High Rankings Forums where a webmaster asks if he can use a singular and plural version of the same word, to be his brand name and domain name. For example, appleandapples.com would be the domain name and the company name would be Apple & Apples or something like that.
His concern, would it lead to a Google penalty?
Why the concern? I assume around Google's exact match domain penalty algorithm, the Google EMD update.
But truth is, if you have a nice combo name and you like it for your brand, go for it.
I doubt it can hurt you, will it help? I doubt that also. Go with a name you are proud of but make sure it works for your customers.
Forum discussion at High Rankings Forums.
Comments:
Ben Acheson
05/14/2014 01:11 pm
The web is running scared from Google. This is a ridiculous situation and it needs to change. http://www.digivate.com/blog/seo/google-penalty-madness-must-stop/
Shane K.
05/14/2014 01:32 pm
Good post. By actively penalizing sites for backlinks, Google has created a climate of fear that is difficult to operate in. With everything a publisher, webmaster or small business has to worry about already, it's tough to now thrust on them the added responsibility of actively monitoring their backlinks for negative SEO and spam attacks.
Josh Zehtabchi
05/14/2014 01:52 pm
https://31.media.tumblr.com/942a648d7b060dc374680778b7c45927/tumblr_inline_n1os0dnEZw1qac3ya.gif
Josh Zehtabchi
05/14/2014 01:52 pm
Nice share!
wertwert
05/14/2014 05:25 pm
I call bullshit on the premise... used cars, games, free credit score, etc... EMD all on 1st page. I say what penalty. EMD gets less of a boost, but it is a far cry from being a penalty.
Mark Warner
05/14/2014 06:15 pm
Nobody from Google has ever suggested building a business model that depended upon their algorithms. If you don't have a real business model, your troubles go far beyond Google penalties.
wertwert
05/14/2014 06:22 pm
you mean like online retail...
F1 Steve
05/14/2014 08:29 pm
Why should an EMD get a boost or a penalty? Ah Durante, Durante, durante, ...... I have nothing to say to you, I just haven't mentioned you for a few days and was having cold turkey! :)
Mark Warner
05/14/2014 11:47 pm
Good online retailers have a lot more going on for them than their organic rankings.
Faisal Jamal
05/15/2014 01:08 pm
No Google penalty and Shouldn't be. Every one has full rights to create brand with any name one likes. Apple & Apples, Ball and Balls, Orange and Oranges, Mango and Mangoes and so on.... I prefer to buy domain penaltyandpenalty.com
wertwert
05/15/2014 05:27 pm
Which is why after Caffeine/Instant updates The Gap and its sister stores downsized brick and mortar in response to slumping online sales.