A domain age is the span of time a particular domain is registered. This has been a very important factor not only for SEOs but also for domain sellers. But as Matt McGee from Search Engine Land recalls the past debate on this matter, it seems that Google do not worry about it to much.
This is actually not a new issue. One of the problems of a lot of new people who want to do SEO is that they tend to over-focus on factors such as domain age. What they do not understand is that SEO is a play of various factors and domain age is only one of them. While it is true that domain age can be a proof of a website’s authority, it is just one part of the proof.
Phil Payne of Google Webmaster Central could not put it better
“Domain age is perhaps part of the “trust” factor. There are supposedly over 200 factors in site ranking – a history of good behaviour may well be one of them. Not age of itself, but a track record of being properly handled during that time. Sitemaps with accurate and useful meta data, proper resolution of canonical issues, that kind of thing.”
Another interesting point of view is that expressed by Ann Smarty of the Search Engine Journal in her article entitled “Domain Age: How Important Is It for SEO?” She says that domain age cannot be a proof for a website’s quality because of three factors.
(1) domains can be parked
(2) domains can be transferred
(3) domains can be redirected
She then resolves the qualifying factor of domain age by giving three more points.
(1) Domain age is not important, it is website age.
(2) Domain age plays a part but does not take center stage
(3) Domain age only matters because of backlinks
So I hoped this article has helped you think twice about purchasing that old domain with dreams that it will do wonders for your SEO campaign. Domain age may still play a role but it is really not that important to be worried about. As Google’s Matt Cutts said, “My short answer is not to worry very much about that [the number of years a domain is registered], not very much at all.”
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Aira,
Thanks for shedding some light on this issue. Up until now, I’ve always believed on the mainstream opinion on the relative value of old domains. It would be nice to see a follow up article on Google’s position on this, and the other SEO angle of some old/expired domains carrying tons of backlinks.
Manny
The time when domain age is crucial is when selling an aged and well established website. A domain that was purchased ten years ago and immediately developed with relevant content with be worth much more.
It is not different than a brcks and mortar company that has been around longer. The age becomes a factor in the selling price because it has endured.
Indeed, a domain that has been parked will only have value in terms of the revenue it generates during the stated time period.
Who does your SEO work?
Very Nice
Usefull information thanks for it … anyway nice blog you got here .. keep going with it:)
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