Google Says Hyphenated Domain Names Are Okay For SEO via @sejournal, @martinibuster

Google stated that hyphenated domain names are acceptable for search engine optimization (SEO) on March 18, 2024, contradicting a long-held belief within the SEO community. This clarification was provided by Google's Search Advocate, John Mueller. Previously, many SEO professionals advised against using hyphens in domain names, suggesting they could negatively impact rankings or be perceived as spammy by search engines. Mueller's statement indicates that Google's algorithms are sophisticated enough to understand the intent behind hyphenated domains and do not penalize them inherently. The announcement suggests that website owners can use hyphens to separate keywords in their domain names without a significant SEO penalty, potentially improving readability and clarity for users. This shift in guidance may lead to a re-evaluation of domain name strategies for many businesses and website creators.