SEO: Does it matter if you use a hypen or a dash when naming files?

Question

What would be better for SEO purposes:

consumer-report.htm

or

consumer_report.htm

Thanx

Answer 1

The hyphen is not only better it is essential as you will see from this research:

http://www.seo-blog.com/keywords-in-urls.php

and

http://www.seo-blog.com/url-update.php

In general:

Keep the urls short.

Put important pages in the root directory (immediately after the first slash).

Incorporate your keywords in the urls.

Use hyphens to separate keywords, never an underscore or space.

Answer 2

Prior to the implementation of some recent algorithm updates, having a dash in a domain name did not seem to make a significant, noticeable difference in regards to SEO or Search Engine Rankings. However, some new research (post Penguin & Panda) is now indicating that search engines are having a stronger focus on the quality of the domain name in determining rankings. It has been found that having a single dash in a domain name has a slight negative bearing on rankings, while multiple dashes seem to be even more detrimental. Another factor that seemed to effect rankings is the length of the domain name - overall shorter domains seem to rank better than longer domain names. This is relevant to your question because by adding a dash you are also adding character to the length of the domain. The age of the domain and the type of domain (the domain name extension) also showed to be of relevance to rankings. Rankings aside, a domain name with a dash is not considered as much of a valuable investment as the non - dash counterpart.

Answer 3

For finest SEO outcomes We recommend using Google Search Bot: http://is.gd/gsbsoftware Using that software I've ranked our web page to first page of Google on a high competitive search phrase.

Answer 4

It's best to use a hyphen but not so much of a problem if you use an underscore, it still works!

When Google reads /mywebsite.html or /my_website.html it sees it as one big long word "mywebsite" which it can't understand so basically sees it as goobaldygook!

When you use /my-website.html it reads it as "my website" which it recognises as "real words" so it helps with SEO.

One thing you never ever want to do is use spaces (it reads as %20) or use capital letters.

I hope that helps.
Emily

Answer 5

Yes it really matters.As Search Engines traets - as seperator of keywords.

Answer 6

yes - some systems can't handle the hyphen. use the underscore.

Answer 7

yes! that is why Wal-Mart took the hyphen out and put a "STAR" in ..........but i don't think it had any thing to do with the consumer but more to do with the color!