Geo Domains may Lose LOTS of value
By Alan on Aug 13, 2010 in Domain Development
People buy GEO domains for two reasons. One is the obvious authority factor by having a domain like ChicagoDoctor.com but the other is because of the huge SEO advantage these names give.
However what if Google changed local results one day and stopped displaying ALL organic results. Well, it seems like Google is testing this as reported by Coverseon here:
http://blog.converseon.com/2010/08/13/google-removes-organic-results-in-local-tests/
This is why learning SEO and development is more important each and every day as if you bank your portfolio on things remaining the same – well, you just might need a life belt after all
Have to love this business 
adinfinite | Aug 13, 2010 | Reply
I noticed some changes in the search results recently. For instance you are likely to see the top results dominated by google local maps and then relevant domains all the way to the bottom or on page two.
Alan | Aug 13, 2010 | Reply
It’s interesting because this actually provides (a) a better local user experience and (b) a possibility for Google to have EVERY search result a chargeable item.
While local listings are free now they can certainly offer some kind of upgrade on the future to cash in serving both the Google mantra of bringing more relevant information to users and their shareholders.
Acro | Aug 13, 2010 | Reply
Not all geo’s are created equal, regardless of whether this method is enforced in Google or not. E.g. MyCityDryCleaning.com is at a disadvantage over more generic and purer geo domains. If Google drives less organic traffic to geo domains versus these types of listings then they can do the same with every search. But they are smart not to exceed a certain percentage if they want to maintain the top spot among search engines, otherwise others like Yahoo and Bing will move ahead.
Michael Castello | Aug 14, 2010 | Reply
“But they are smart not to exceed a certain percentage if they want to maintain the top spot among search engines, otherwise others like Yahoo and Bing will move ahead.”
Bing o, you got it.
tony morrison | Aug 14, 2010 | Reply
ill be keeping an eye on this as a owner of several geo domains
George | Aug 14, 2010 | Reply
Alan,
Thanks for the insightful observation.
This Google rollout will kill the Octane360/Local.com business model.
George
Promo | Aug 14, 2010 | Reply
The very first result from the example in the linked article is:
http://www.nycexoticcarrentals.com ..
That name contains the whole search string.. So how is that not an organic result?
webdomaindude | Aug 14, 2010 | Reply
I’ve also noticed that they have given more creedance to .org than .com names. -own several of both and was testing ranks with identicle sites. org’s scored higher than com’s.
Web Dude
TagAnIdiot.com
Gunner Steele | Aug 14, 2010 | Reply
While you never can tell what the future will hold when it comes to what Google will do with their algorithm and search results — I think that Converseon.com may be trying to
‘scare’ up some business – or are at least jumping the gun a bit….
If you compare their screenshot with a current ‘normal’ search result for the same term – all of the same results appear. There are several differences in their screenshot that
augment the results we see today:
1. For each organic result, there are corresponding quotes and links to relevant review sites, social media sites, local sites – that mention the organic result.
2. Place page link. If you’re in local search, or competing in the geo space – you’ve got to claim and use your Google Place page. Google is making a huge push into LBS
(Location Based Services) and local markets – and this must be one of their ways of driving adoption. If you don’t use Google Places – your organic search ranking suffers…
3. Different format. The map is moved to the side and the map markers are placed next to their corresponding organic search result – further evidence that they are trying to
drive adoption of Google Places…
Most domainers are so far behind the times when it comes to developing and SEO, but the smart ones are catching on very quickly and eating everyone else’s lunch. If you’re in the
geo space and are still relying on your exact-match domain to juice your rankings you’re getting left in the dust.
There is one huge caveat to this, and Acro and Michael Castello’s comments point to this — branding. Google is adjusting their algorithm to recognize and reward trustworthy
brands because their organic search results have been systematically raided by spammers in the last year or so. And there is no better brand than an exact-match pure geo domain –
*that has been actively branded*.
This is a very important distinction. Any generic domain (ok – well, most) can become a trustworthy brand if it is actively branded. In order to actively brand your site, you
have to do all the things necessary to send signals to Google that the site & brand:
1. Has resources – quality fast hosting; secure sites; etc…
2. Is responsible – not a spammer, not in a ‘bad neighborhood’, delivers quality products/services (if that’s what you do), etc.
3. Is talked about – generates buzz and is mentioned in wide range of places – web media, traditional & print media (think press releases), social media, etc.
4. Is social – surfers can contact and interact with the site – via contact form, email, twitter, facebook, and bonus points for phone number and street address.
5. And so on….
It is getting much tougher to compete in Google search, but great domains are still very much an Ace in the hole.
GS
Roy Flanders | Aug 14, 2010 | Reply
Please take your silly spam someplace else.
domain dude | Aug 14, 2010 | Reply
This doesnt make sense. I mean I understand it, but why do it? Money. They have already done this in several places in their index. 2 years ago. It was done to boost their favorite partners to the top.
However, the PPC flood in those places in the index has disappeared.
They are always working on new models to imnprove revenue. The best model will win as usual.
steve cheatham | Aug 14, 2010 | Reply
@ Michael Castello… Spot on.
Bob Fontaine | Aug 14, 2010 | Reply
From Cape Cod, well said Mr. Flanders.
Dan | Aug 14, 2010 | Reply
Hi,
Plus This:
Keyword-heavy domain names no longer serve SEO purposes
(Quote)
Google has recently changed its page-ranking criteria and reduced its reliance on keyword-heavy domain names when calculating search engine rankings. This may affect the way companies design their search engine marketing campaigns.
John Straw, InfluenceFinder chief executive at Econsultancy explains that Google has gradually reduced the impact of root domain names. No longer than one year ago, this was weighted significantly heavier than today when compiling rankings.
It can be hard for marketers to keep up with Google when the company constantly changes the algorithms that calculate the search engine rankings. A SEM strategy can go from highly valuable to outdated from one day to the other if Google decides that, for instance, mobile rendering or keyword densities will have a bigger impact on the rankings.
Some of the changes are rather easy to adapt to, whereas others are more expensive and time consuming to follow up on. For instance, if a company recently bought an expensive, keyword-heavy domain name, it is now highly inconvenient that Google decided to disparage this as a criterion for a high search engine ranking. End Quote(s)
Source:
http://www.one.com/en/web-hosting-news/website/keyword-heavy-domain-names-no-longer-serve-seo-purposes$19920720.htm
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Best,
Dan
Jay Lohmann / TagTeam Advertising Agency | Aug 14, 2010 | Reply
It’s time for everybody to move to YaBiGo.com.
I thought Google’s view of the Internet was that it was a Democratic society? You know – backlinks, pages viewed, time on page and all.
I have NO problem with them making all the money in the world, but their service is suffering from greed – not a mission to provide the most relevant organic results based on user interaction – at least not in local.
An entire page of ads? MSN must be lickin’ their chops. People will flock to Bing.
I’ve quietly watched this transformation and kept my mouth shut, but I firmly believe that taking this much control of what the user sees in the SERPs will backfire on Google.
I’ve been using YaBiGo.com all day, every day for 6 months with great results. It’s in its infancy, but this should be the default search engine for the Internet.
Get pure algorithmic results (without the user behavorial SERP modifications), while checking rankings or relevancy across all three major search engines.
Bookmark it.
Use it exclusively for a week and see how much faster you can locate and evaluate relevant information.
I am neither an affiliate or “friend” of YaBiGo, but I am an advocate of natural, relevant, competitive search results, no matter where they come from.
Type-in traffic will increase if Google implement this algo into their SERPs. The value of the pure Geo-niche and Niche-geo .COM’s will go up.
Stuart | Aug 14, 2010 | Reply
While I have observed a decline in search results for both geo-keyword and plain Geo domains in Google, it has not affected my bottom line in creating user-friendly content-rich pages with them…backlinks to a specific money maker. Since I am a poor backlinker and I prefer non-reciprocal linking, I’m not worried about it.
fizz | Aug 14, 2010 | Reply
@ Gunner Steele…good tips – thanks.
Dan | Aug 14, 2010 | Reply
Hi again,
BTW: “Fair Warning”
Here comes a serious, maybe not to “coherent” rant”
So,
If you would like to save yourself…just avoid reading it…..lol
Google has “sold their souls out” on honest search engine “organic” and proper domain named website results…2-3 years ago
Why this is a “surprise” to anyone is “Beyond Me”
It really started with “adwords and “adsense”..but people where making so much money they did not bother to notice….
This not being the case so much…. I know people that where making 30K -60K a month with “adsense” on their websites…who are making 1K-2K off the same sites…now.
Now that they are basically trying to shut the door on very small to midsized business.
Faces it…Google does what it wants and when it wants…and does not give a %%$# about domains or “organic results”…never did.
ALL This is just the beginning….
Almost 3 years plus I post on many forums how MS was wasting Multi Million dollars on MSM live search.
During one NBA season the spent &170 Million only just advertising this…on everything NBA, Ever game etc…
I said it would never work and a wasre of $170 Million $$$.
What I said is ALL They had to do is “Create a separated brand…and try distance itself from their main brand “Micosoft”…
WHY,
Simple ‘MS’ is a “SOFTWARE COMPANY” and NOT A Serach engine come…
Fiinaly, after years and wasted money “Bada BING”….LOL
Was that so hard to see MS
“Bing” Is doing great…And a lot Google searches use it as much as they use Google.
Google user’s…”Die-Hards” WILL GO to a different “park to play in”…IF YOU GIVE THEM A BETTER PARK!
Domainers can or could do this….I spent months coming up with a ‘better park’ that would almost 95% “organic results” and domain specific. Just missing the last little piece.
It is almost completely thought out and done…
Sating it for year’s: “Screw Google ~ Because They Screw YOU sooner or later”…and not even think about how they took your 50k or 100 k or 500k business down 25% – 75% in one day.
ONLY problem with “BING”…these MORONS still do not “GET”….is they only have about 1 degree of separation from MSN….when they need about 3-6 degrees of separation.
This ONLY would pick up 12% – 22% more of the SE Market! IMHO….
And I dislike MSN as much or more as I dislike Google…
NO SEARCH OUT THEIR IS OUR FRIEND OR THE REGULAR USURERS FRIEND.
Make One that is… INSTANT…18% -34% of the total SE Market.
And this is with the expectation that most of the same users will use Google or/and Bing, Yahoo… at least once during the day.
GOOGLE AND BING USER’S ARE JUST DYING TO GO SOMEWHERE ELSE…JUST NO PLACE FOR THEM TO GO.
Ok…sorry for the “Rant”…
But it IS time everyone stop bowing down to Google, Bing, Yahoo… (It was 3 years ago…but it is NEVER too late)
Because they ‘CREATE NOTHING’…
THEY USE (steal) YOUR DOMAIN ASSETS and WEBSITE CONTENT TO MAKE MONEY FOR THEMSELVES!
That is 100% the business plan of these SE company’s. (“GET IT”)
And it does NOT matter if you make money by being listed in them. Good for you. But your still getting “screwed over”
So Do NOT be surprised when you wake up and find out they:
“screwed you again ~ one way or another”
Because it is what they DO!
Ok…Sorry for the “Rant”…
But I have NOT got this one out for almost a year…LOL…Had To Come Out!
__
Peace To All,
Dan
Don | Aug 14, 2010 | Reply
It seems that bing likes these keywords. Though if your hanging on google for all your seo or advertising ideas then your in trouble.
A good geo specfic name on a billboard will do wonders for a local business.
I mean if you owned californiainsurance.com in which you sold insurance you would probably become the biggest broker in California in no time.
ZipQuote | Aug 14, 2010 | Reply
It’s all in the SEO! We continuously work on seo to drive customers to our website. In the highly competitive online insurance quote world, it’s hard to be discovered. You’ve got to have a catchy, short, easy to spell name with strong SEO. Searching “auto insurance” on Google returns nearly 100,000,000 results. Makes it just a little hard to be found.
Dan | Aug 14, 2010 | Reply
” It seems that bing likes these keywords”
_____
And it should be this way…as long as the site is of no value to anyone but the owner of the website.
And if that is the case..then a “smart domainer”…can buy it , and put a website up of “Value”…and make the money they rightfully deserve.
If Google does this and keeps this ~ ALL “BING” has to do…
Make domains and domain keywords with good websites much more relevant…And Focus on “Organic” results…
Basically just do the opposite of Google…
Not to hard to figure out….maybe this post will save them $200+ million dollars…
Instead of trying to “follow Google around”… like they did it for years…
Does anyone remember Google with no ads?
The “general SE user” still does not like them.
I do not like them….
Over time the adwords on top of the “organic search” results…have been “blended in” more etc… so you get a bunch of ‘bad clicks’ costing advertisers countless amount of wasted money…but Google still gets paid.
____
And do not get me started how these SE’s and “browser makers” 1st… Until the iSP’s figured out they could get their part of the multi-million “miss typed domains or words” market.
Why is it if you are using the Firefox browser and you leave out the : in http:// ~ That it defaults to:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypertext_Transfer_Protocol
____
IE6 goes to search page for Google for me. Where does it go for you?
____
Windows comes with a default to go to Bing or live search…if you make a “TypeO” which they make millions off of…
But own anything close to something they might be considered a “typeo” domain of
theirs…they will sue in Federal Court…at the drop of a hat.
___
Firefox has had a “Deal” with Google for the last 2 years +…so you will default to a “Google” page…unless your ISP has change this on them.
_____
Now my ISP figured out they could get to me “before” the “browser makers”….I use Firefox and it was “defaulting to a “Google sponsored ad” page..before I went from cable to FIOS.
So as an example…I have Verizon FIOS…which now is using a YAHOO results page if anything is miss typed into my browser.
SO, they basically are screwing “Google” and “firefox” now.
Because they get to you 1st now…before IE or Firefox has a chance to…this “little war has been going on for a long time…because multi millions a year are at stake.
And up until about 1-11/2 years ago…the browser company’s had 99% of this “Scam”.
When NONE OF THEM SHOULD BE GETTING A CHANCE TO MAKE MONEY OFF A PERSONS HONEST MISTAKE.
Peace,
Dan
BTW: THE FIOS “Defult” ~ You can change this..but you have to jump through a bunch of “hoops”…and they do not go out of their way to tell you..or show you.
Jason | Aug 14, 2010 | Reply
GEO domains may lose their search engine value, but end-users are still looking to acquire these domains to market their businesses. You can take any unpopular GEO domain, and turn it into a big hit.
Essentially, you sometimes have to invest in lesser names. As of late, I’ve been on a roll with finding generic hotel names in various California cities. The change in the search engine is nothing to worry about, well unless you depend on the traffic Google sends you.
Jason | Aug 14, 2010 | Reply
GEO domains may lose their search engine value, but end-users are still looking to acquire these domains to market their businesses.
You can take any unpopular GEO domain, and turn it into a big hit.
Essentially, you sometimes have to invest in lesser names. As of late, I’ve been on a roll with finding generic hotel names in various California cities.
The change in the search engine is nothing to worry about, well unless you depend on the traffic Google sends you.
Artur | Aug 15, 2010 | Reply
Who cares about crooked Google ?
Why go to Google search engine when you exactly know what you want.
If you want a list of Chicago doctors you simply go to http://www.chicagodoctors.com or even better .tel and you will find what you want.
Why waste your time on Google search engine because if you type in Chicago doctors you get all kind of answers not even related to Chicago doctors.
So go ahead and register and develop your city
doctors,lawyers,plumbers,taxi, hotels, restaurants ….com or even better .tel
I like .tel because it’s the ideal for this type of development and can be done by someone who does not know a thing about computers and it’s very, very inexpensive to develop and run
Kitvy | Aug 15, 2010 | Reply
Nice post.
I’ll watch this issue closely.
battery replacement digital camera battery | Aug 22, 2010 | Reply
IE6 goes to search page for Google for me. Where does it go for you?
seo services | Aug 23, 2010 | Reply
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Poor Uncle | Oct 11, 2010 | Reply
Hi Alan,
Do you have a recommendation for a wordpress theme to built Geo city sites with? I don’t like to be the guy wearing red shirt. My favorite color is green.