Google Says Go With Traditional TLD Even If You Need A Hyphen In Domain Name

09/08/25
Source: Search Engine Roundtable by barry@rustybrick.com (Barry Schwartz). Read the original article

TL;DR Summary of Why Google’s John Mueller Prefers Traditional TLDs Over Cheap Alternatives

Google’s John Mueller advises choosing a traditional TLD (like .com), even if it requires hyphens, over cheap or spam-associated TLDs. Domains on problematic TLDs (.xyz, .top, etc.) often face trust and indexing challenges and can be filtered as spam. Investing a little more in a reputable TLD can save time and effort in the long run.

Optimixed’s Overview: Choosing the Right TLD for SEO Success and Brand Trust

John Mueller’s Insights on Domain Name TLD Selection

In a recent Reddit discussion, Google’s Webmaster Trends Analyst John Mueller shared his stance on selecting top-level domains (TLDs) for websites. He emphasized the importance of opting for traditional, well-established TLDs such as .com, even if it means using hyphens in the domain name. This recommendation comes as a caution against choosing cheap or less reputable TLDs that are often associated with spam or abuse.

Why Traditional TLDs Matter

  • Spam and Abuse Risks: Some newer or less regulated TLDs have a higher prevalence of spammy domains, which can negatively impact reputation and trustworthiness.
  • Indexing and Crawling Issues: Sites on problematic TLDs may experience slower or more difficult indexing by search engines.
  • Link and Email Challenges: Domains on certain TLDs may have their links bulk-disavowed and emails filtered, complicating marketing and outreach efforts.

Balancing Brand and SEO Considerations

Mueller advises that if a preferred brand name is taken on a .com domain, it’s better to use a hyphenated version on a traditional TLD than to switch to a risky TLD. Additionally, he notes the importance of ensuring the domain is a true TLD and not a subdomain under someone else’s domain.

Final Takeaways

  • Spending a few extra dollars on a reputable TLD is often worth the investment to avoid long-term SEO and trust issues.
  • Not all expensive TLDs guarantee better SEO; abuse handling and registrar quality matter more.
  • Many non-traditional TLDs are reputable, but caution is advised against those with higher spam rates.