Is the domain age relevant for ranking? (SEO Basics #4)

December 27, 2018

What does domain age actually mean?

The Domain age is the length of time your website has been registered and active online. It is said that the longer your website has established an online presence, the more it is trusted by search engines and visitors searching in your niche.

There are several factors to consider before buying or worrying about the age of your website. Just remember that we are after the well of organic search growth.

So what is the advantage of buying an old domain?

If you are ready to invest in a website with a high domain age, there are a few things you should consider first:

It might be difficult to find an old domain and if you are a business owner, you know that time is money.
In reality, it's about the time when Google first created a link to the said "outdated" domain indexed or has sighted. An Aged Domain is used by Google for more than 5 years. indexed. You will find that the highest ranking websites have been around for a long time. For example Amazon, Apple, Apartments.com, etc.

Domain age is not necessarily a sign of quality

Be careful! Do not think that a website is good just because it has been on Google for 10 years. indexed is. An "aged" website without content or Index is at the same level as the newly hatched domain you bought this morning.

If you already have an aged domain but want to start fresh, I wouldn't avoid creating a new website just because it will lower the domain age.
Now that we've nipped some of the confusion about domain age in the bud, let's examine the bottom line of your newly hatched website.

First of all, the domain age is important. But this is not too big a deal for your own website if you optimize it correctly. SEO is not only about domain age, but also about many other important factors, such as the backlink profile.

Let's explore the 5 ways you can ensure your new domain establishes an authentic online presence and creates a flight to the top of search engine results.

The domain age is relevant for the ranking

In principle, this statement is true. The domain age is one of the relevant Ranking-Factors. To register a domain under a Keyword or several Keyword-phrases to rank well, the domain age should also be taken into account.

Is it possible to determine the domain age?

Yes, if you want to buy a domain or register a new domain, you can check in advance whether this domain has already been online before. My procedure in such a case would be as follows.

1. index check: query with the search engines (Google and Co.)

The Search Engine Google offers the possibility to search directly for the entries of a website. Enter "site:www.domain name.de". If results for this domain can now be found here, this would be an indication that this domain was already online not too long ago.

2. domain age: determine the domain age

If Google cannot provide me with any information worth mentioning, I still use "https://wayback.archive.org/web/“ to view the history of the domain to be checked. The Wayback Machine offers the possibility to perturb something in the past of the domainbern. A calendar function allows you to display the entries clearly sorted.

Here, for example, an archived screenshot for 31.03.2012 can be called up directly. Furthermore, the domain "Google.de" has been archived on achive.org since 1999. This way you can check any domain you are considering buying or registering.

Why is domain age crucial for a good ranking?

This has to do with the TrustThe "trustworthiness" of the content of a domain. Search engines such as Google assume that websites that have been online for a longer period of time and have been updated at regular intervals know exactly "what they are talking about". Such websites are also referred to as authorities.

Sites that have been in the game for a long time receive a small bonus. In addition, even when you register for the first time, they are often not in the so-called Sandboxwhat the Ranking for up to 6 months.

Personal experience: My own website was in the sandbox from October 2018 to March 2019 and did not achieve any rankings, not even on page 2-3. Since mid-March 2019, the Ranking and the Keyword quantity now rapiIt seems as if the website has now overcome the "invisible wall" and proven itself trustworthy in the eyes of Google.

"New websites also rank well."

Yes, this statement is true, but usually only to a limited extent. New websites that rank above average are referred to as a "Boost effect" However, experience shows that this does not last long. After this effect, the domain must first prove itself. And will be ranked significantly worse than websites that already have the necessary Trust on a specific topic. In order to Ranking to noticeably improve, it is therefore advisable to obtain a backlink from established websites (on a specific topic) or even from the "authorities"

Conclusion on the domain age

Overall, it can be said that domain age alone does not necessarily have a major influence on Google rankings. However, in certain cases it can indirectly contribute to achieving better rankings in the search results.

An older domain age can signal trust and credibility, as it shows that the website has been around for longer and may have provided good content and services over the years. This can make other websites more willing to link to your site, which in turn can have a positive impact on rankings. Users may also trust an older domain more, which can indirectly lead to higher click-through rates, a longer dwell time and a lower bounce rate - all factors that can have a positive impact on rankings.

Nevertheless, the domain age is only one of many factors that are taken into account when Google evaluates a website. More important are ultimately the quality and Relevance of the content, the structure of the website, the user experience and the backlink quality. Therefore, you should not rely solely on the domain age, but always make sure that your website is also optimized in terms of content and technology.

For example, let's say you have a 10-year-old domain, but the content is outdated, the site is difficult to navigate, and there is no Backlinks from trustworthy sources. In this case, domain age alone will not be enough to achieve good rankings. In contrast, a new domain with high-quality content, good user experience and strong Backlinks quickly rise in search results despite their young age.

Conclusion: Domain age can indirectly have a certain influence on Google rankings, but it is by no means the decisive factor. To be successful in the search results, you should focus primarily on the quality of your content, the user experience and building a good backlink profile.

FAQ

What is Domain Age SEO?

Domain age SEO refers to the search engine optimization performed for websites with a certain age duration. It involves achieving a high level of search engine trust and visibility on Google. This is usually achieved by providing high quality content that is regularly updated on the website and regular link building.

Why is domain age SEO important?

Domain age SEO is important because search engines like Google have a high level of trust in older websites. The longer a website is active on the Internet, the more site visitors it can attract. In addition, search engines can better assess whether the website provides relevant content and whether the links pointing to the website are trustworthy.

How does domain age SEO affect the ranking of a website?

The longer a website is active on the Internet, the more likely it is to end up higher up in the search engine rankings. This is because search engines have a certain level of trust in websites that have been around for a long time. However, through successful optimization, the website can rise even higher.

What techniques can be used to improve domain age SEO?

There are many techniques that can help improve domain age SEO. The most common strategies include creating high-quality and unique content, updating old content pages, improving link navigation, and building a network of high-quality backlinks.

How long does it usually take to see results from domain age SEO?

It may take time to see results through domain age SEO. Results can vary depending on the website and the level of optimization in question. However, results can usually be seen within a few weeks or months.

What are the costs associated with domain age SEO?

The cost of domain age SEO depends on many factors, including the size of the website, the number of changes desired, and the type of strategy used. Basically, however, it can be said that domain age SEO is more cost-effective than many other SEO strategies because it is limited to a single website.

Can domain age SEO be harmful?

If domain age SEO is not done properly, harmful effects on the website can occur. For example, this can lead to rejection by search engines. To avoid harmful effects, domain age SEO should only be performed by experienced experts.

How to ensure that domain age SEO is successful?

To ensure that domain age SEO is successful, a few strategies must be followed. These include creating high-quality content, building a network of high-quality backlinks, and carefully monitoring the website and the techniques used for search engine optimization.

Are there certain guidelines to follow with domain age SEO?

Yes, there are guidelines to follow when performing domain age SEO. These include following search engine guidelines, avoiding black-hat SEO techniques, and avoiding spam. In addition, care should be taken to ensure that any changes to the website are done in a sustainable manner so as not to hurt search engine rankings.

Why hire a domain age SEO expert?

A domain age SEO expert can help to achieve the best possible result. An SEO expert has extensive knowledge of the various SEO strategies and can create a customized SEO package for the website. In addition, an expert can make changes to the website to ensure it meets search engine guidelines.

With top positions to the new sales channel.

Let Google work for you, because visitors become customers.

About the author

Niels Stuck

Niels Stuck has 10 years of SEO experience and is the founder of the SEO agency "WOLF OF SEO". He gained practical experience by building 20+ affiliate sites alongside his marketing studies. Finally, he wrote his bachelor thesis about the influence of SEO on Google rankings, traffic and sales development in the form of a case study. Today, he specializes in e-commerce SEO and helps more than 80 companies build a sustainable organic revenue channel through SEO. Niels advises startups, established brands and corporations in search engine optimization of their online stores and primarily focuses on data-based content strategies and link building. He shares his knowledge about SEO and online marketing in this blog, as a speaker at conferences, in podcasts and as a guest author for OMT, Forbes, Starting Up and many more platforms.

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