John Mueller, the head of Google’s Search Relations, has emphasized the importance of selecting top-level domains (TLDs) with a good reputation. This comes in light of a recent inquiry on Reddit regarding the implications of using TLDs like .xyz or domains that include hyphens.
While Mueller did not single out .xyz specifically—despite its use by Google—he cautioned against domains associated with free, cheap, or spammy TLDs. He explained that such domains may carry a troublesome reputation, making it difficult for new sites to gain credibility.
For individuals starting a long-term project, it’s crucial to avoid establishing a presence in what he termed an "everything goes" neighborhood. The absence of a definitive list from search engines makes it challenging for users to choose wisely, but resources like Spamhaus can help identify problematic TLDs.
Mueller warned that websites on less reputable TLDs may face issues with crawling, indexing, and even email deliverability. Links from such domains may be disavowed en masse to filter out spam. He recommended using a traditional TLD over a problematic one, even if it means choosing a name with hyphens. He urged registrants to aim for unique domain names representing their brand, rather than opting for dashes or variations of existing names.
Ultimately, according to Mueller, investing a bit more in a reputable TLD could save significant time and headaches in the long run. The correlation between a domain’s TLD and site reputation is not limited to SEO, and it’s essential to choose wisely from the outset.
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