Does Domain Name affects SEO?

there several parts question.

a) domain name affect seo?
yes, does, if it's "exact match" keywords you're trying target. extensions seemed more favoured others, example .com , .net boost exact match keywords in domain name, main cctlds such .co.uk or .de when comes respective versions of search engines.

note: "exact match" mean domain name contains same keywords in same order search phrase, , no additional keywords. example, webhosting.com , "web hosting" exact match, hostingweb.com , "web hosting" not. there might still little benefit gained using "hostingweb.com" if targeting "web hosting", less if used "webhosting.com".

"greatwebhosting.com" not exact match "web hosting" @ least 1) contains relevant keywords in right order , b) reads pretty well, still give seo benefits.

not "exact match" bonus right domain name, if think it, every time links site, they're including relevant keywords right there in domain name.

use earlier example, if company's called "acme hosting" people link using "acme hosting" text of link, doesn't seo. if "acme hosting" uses url http://www.webhosting.com/ website, "web hosting" comes automatically baked link (in url part) if title of link still "acme hosting". link site using link text "pink banana", "web hosting" still part of link it's built url. , that's beauty of using right generic domain name seo.

incidentally, distributed case study on positive impact of domain names in seo google, bing , yahoo, , can download free copy here:
http://www.memorabledomains.co.uk/seo-generic-domains.html

b) presence of trademarks in domain name
we've talked domain names , seo in general, it's worth looking more closely @ important issue of trademarks. example (and know it's example, neatly lets me make point) relating "ps3" trademark held sony. companies (including sony) vigorously defend trademarks (they have to, way - risk losing trademark if don't defend it, that's how trademark system works)

such, face number of issues. in best case, contact politely , ask surrender domain name them (do it!). or take legal action against in form of udrp, standard process companies can follow reclaim domains containing trademarks. however, seek extract damages you, , there various laws them so, of carry penalties of $100,000 if lose (and if you're fighting sony , trading off of trademark, lose!)

although lot of blogs , websites happily suggest register domains containing else's trademarks (what have lose giving bad advice? nothing - they're not risking anything...) it's bad idea.

summary: securing domain name keywords either exact-match main search phrase you're targeting, or containing keywords in same order search phrase, along else makes whole thing "read well" idea.

however, never lose sight of trademark issues. it's better register secondary domain name without trademark in exact match domain name trademark in it, because latter bring hassle down road...

note: if want find out more various factors impact search engine rankings, try search "search engine ranking factors" in favourite search engine there lot of detailed information out there, compiled seo experts.

does domain name affects seo? if create freebie website domain should choose? www.ps3.com or www.free-ps3.com? (okay know domain names taken if okay.)

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