Imagine you’re launching a new website, and your preferred domain name is already taken. You spot an available version, which comes with a hyphen.
At first glance, a hyphen seems harmless. And frankly, quite helpful. It makes multi-word domain names clearer and more readable. But then, doubts creep in:
- Will people forget the hyphen and land on someone else’s site?
- Does a hyphen make my site look unprofessional or spammy?
- Will Google penalize my site for using a hyphen?
This unease isn’t just paranoia. Hyphenated domains come with real-world consequences for SEO and user experience.
In the early days of the Internet, hyphens were pretty common. Many websites used them as spaces to separate words, and search engines had no problem recognizing them. But as the web evolved, non-hyphenated domains became the gold standard. So, what changed? Was it just a shift in design aesthetics, or did search engines start treating hyphenated domains differently?
Some SEO experts argue that hyphens help search engines distinguish words in a domain, kind of improving rankings for keyword-heavy domains. Others claim that hyphenated domains scream “low quality.”
On the branding side, big names like Facebook, Google, and Amazon don’t use hyphens. But what about small businesses—should they embrace the hyphen or avoid it at all costs? In this blog, we touch on everything related to hyphenated domains.
Do Hyphens Help Rankings?
There was a time when Google’s algorithm wasn’t that great at recognizing individual words in URLs. Can you imagine? This meant that a domain like bestshoes.com might have been read as “bestshoes” rather than “best shoes.” A hyphen (best-shoes.com) made it clearer.
However, today, Google’s algorithms are much more sophisticated. They can recognize separate words even without a hyphen. This made hyphenation far less significant than it once was.
While some outdated SEO myths have faded, choosing the right domain is still a big deal. And in 2025? The best domain is still the cleanest, simplest, and easiest to remember.
Does a Hyphen Improve Keyword Clarity in URLs for Search Engines?
Technically, yes. Search engines still use hyphens as word separators. This means that if you’re targeting a keyword-heavy domain like organic-coffee-beans.com, Google can clearly distinguish “organic,” “coffee,” and “beans.”
Although, just because Google understands hyphenated URLs doesn’t mean they rank better. Keyword-stuffed domains (with or without hyphens) have lost much of their past influence due to algorithm updates that prioritize user intent and content quality.
Are Exact Match Domains Still Relevant?
Exact Match Domains used to be an instant SEO hack. It worked like this: If your domain perfectly matched a high-traffic keyword, Google would push it to the top even if the site had weak content.
However, in 2012, Google cracked down on low-quality EMDs to prevent spammy websites from ranking too easily. Really makes you question their usefulness, right?
After Google’s 2012 update, hyphenated domains became half as common in top search results within a few months. Why?
- People associate hyphenated domains with spammy or low-quality sites.
- They’re harder to remember and type.
- Google doesn’t give them any extra ranking boost over non-hyphenated EMDs.
EMDs can still work, but they’re no longer an automatic ticket to the top of Google. The best strategy would be to focus on building high-quality content instead of relying on keywords in your domain name alone.
Hyphens Create a Psychological Barrier When Typing or Sharing a URL
Hyphens add an extra mental and manual step when typing a web address, especially on mobile. Instead of an uninterrupted flow, users have to stop to locate the hyphen key. This tiny disruption during typing might seem insignificant, but in a world where convenience is everything, even the smallest friction can make people click away.
The issue gets worse when sharing a URL verbally. Imagine telling someone to visit your site:
- “Go to bestdigitalmarketing.com.” – Simple, clean, and easy to remember.
- “Go to best-digital-marketing.com—don’t forget the hyphens!” – Suddenly, there’s confusion. Did they catch the right number of hyphens? Did they mishear it as an underscore? These tiny doubts can send visitors elsewhere.
Let’s be real—hyphenated domains look sketchy to most people. Over the years, scammers and low-quality websites have used them to imitate real brands (think amaz0n-shop.com). Because of this, many internet users instinctively mistrust hyphenated domains. And, also note that:
- People tend to forget the hyphen.
- Most successful brands avoid hyphens unless they have a strong reason to use them.
- Typing and sharing a hyphenated URL is more annoying than a clean, single-word domain.
User Experience & Typing Ease: The Friction Factor
Non-hyphenated words flow naturally in the brain. On the flip side, hyphenated words force a split-second pause, which disrupts reading speed. The more effort a domain takes to process, the less likely people are to remember it.
If your domain isn’t easy to type and scan, it won’t stick in people’s minds. Mobile users find it annoying to have to switch keyboards for the hyphen. And lazy typists tend to skip punctuation altogether, so they won’t even bother themselves with the hyphen.
When people forget hyphens, they land on someone else’s site—or worse, a parked domain filled with ads. Many non-hyphenated versions of domains are already taken, so if your visitors forget the hyphen, you’re sending free traffic to someone else. That’s a branding nightmare. Now, do yourself a favor and ditch the hyphen.
Do Hyphens Scream “Scam” or “Legit”?
The internet is full of shady corners, and your domain name plays a big role in whether people see you as a legitimate business or a potential scam. So, where do hyphens fit into that?
Why Do Phishing and Scam Sites Frequently Use Hyphens?
Because scammers love imitating real websites, hyphens let scammers create lookalike domains that trick people into clicking. Over time, this has made internet users mistrust hyphenated domains.
In 2022, 83% of UK businesses hit by a cyber attack said it was phishing. Why? Because cybercriminals use them to bypass security filters and lure in naive users.
How Does Google Treat Hyphenated Domains in Terms of Spam Detection?
Google doesn’t outright penalize hyphenated domains. The algorithms do not specifically look for hyphens in domain names, but it’s not doing them any favors, either. Also, Google’s spam filters closely monitor domains with hyphens because of their historical misuse by spammers.
However, if you want better conversions, test different domains. Add hyphenated domains and see how users react. Most will probably find it outdated or spammy, but maybe your audience appreciates extra dashes. Hyphens scream “cheap and sketchy,” but if your visitors have a soft spot for 2005-era web design, go for it.
Domain Availability & Pricing
A hyphenated version is the bootleg version of a domain. If the original domain is already in use, it means someone else owns the branding and authority. Every time people search for you and forget the hyphen (which they will), you’re just sending free traffic to the non-hyphenated site.
Are Hyphenated Domains Cheaper?
You’d think hyphenated domains would be dirt cheap—and you’d mostly be right. They sell for far less than their clean counterparts because nobody really wants them. If a premium domain goes for thousands (or millions), its hyphenated version is often sitting on the clearance rack, collecting dust.
Some shady sellers try to hype them up as a “smart alternative” and charge a fortune, hoping a desperate buyer will fall for it. Don’t be that buyer. A hyphen doesn’t magically make a domain premium. Instead, it makes it look like a Plan B.
Does a Hyphen Affect Resale Value?
Absolutely. Hyphenated domains are way harder to sell. Investors know they’re a tough resell because businesses don’t want the headache of explaining their domain name every time they share it. Plus, buyers assume a hyphenated domain is only valuable if the non-hyphenated version is already successful. So, it’s a risky bet.
Most brands won’t even consider a domain with a hyphen unless they absolutely have to. That means fewer buyers, lower demand, and a resale value that’s about as exciting as a used fax machine.
When to Use Hyphens & When to Avoid
Let’s be honest—99% of the time, hyphens are a bad idea. They kind of make you look like you can’t afford legitimate domains. But there are rare cases where they do make sense.
Improved Readability
One legitimate reason to even consider hyphens is readability. The longer your domain name, the harder it is to read at a glance. Breaking up words with a hyphen can make things clearer when things get, well, a little awkward.
Here, try reading these with no spaces:
- Experts Exchange
- Master Bait Online
- Dickson Web
- Therapist in a Box (Yeah, that one’s really bad.)
See the problem? You see, cramming words together without spaces can lead to some unfortunate domain names. Some domains go viral for all the wrong reasons and turn into internet jokes instead of serious businesses. A well-placed hyphen can save you from branding disaster by keeping those letters from accidentally forming words you don’t want to be associated with your brand.
Of course, this isn’t a free pass to slap hyphens everywhere. But if your domain name has one of those weird combinations, a hyphen might be the thing that keeps people from laughing at your website before they even visit it.
If You Must Use a Hyphen, How Can You Mitigate Its Downsides?
SEO is all about getting more eyes on your site, and hyphens can play a small role in that. Since Google sees hyphens as word separators, they can help with keyword clarity. Sounds great, right? Well, not so fast. While that might be a slight SEO win, it comes at the cost of user experience. At the end of the day, a domain needs to be both optimized and easy to use—because what’s the point of ranking high if people struggle to type or remember your site?
If you’re stuck with a hyphenated domain, here’s how to make the best of it:
- Pick smart keywords: Use words that actually describe your site and attract the right audience—no random fluff.
- Keep it short: One hyphen? Fine. Two? Maybe. More than that? Now, you’re just asking for trouble.
- Content Strategy: If your site is packed with well-structured content, people will still take you seriously.
- Backlinks and Promotion: Get solid backlinks, promote your site everywhere, and prove you belong in the rankings—hyphen or not.
A hyphen won’t magically ruin your SEO, but it will make your life harder. If you can dodge it, do. If not, at least stack the odds in your favor.
The Verdict
Let’s cut to the chase—non-hyphenated domains win almost every time. They’re easier to type, remember, and share. Plus, they look more credible. In an era where every brand fights for attention, a clunky domain is just another barrier between you and potential customers. And let’s be real—no one wants a domain that feels like a relic from the early 2000s.
If a hyphen is your only option, you can make it work, but it’ll take extra effort to build trust and brand recognition. And in a world where attention spans are shrinking, that’s not a battle you want to fight. Most people turn off autocaps nowadays, and it’s quite ambitious for you to expect them to use extra characters just to search your website.
At the end of the day, branding and user experience matter way more than squeezing a keyword into your domain. A name that people remember and trust beats a clunky, keyword-stuffed URL every time.
Looking to build a brand that stands out—hyphen or not? Let Algomindz help you craft a winning digital strategy.
FAQs
Are hyphenated domains more likely to be flagged as phishing sites?
Hyphens won’t automatically get your site flagged, but they do raise red flags. Scammers often use hyphenated domains to mimic legitimate websites (like pay-pal.com), so users and security filters may view them with suspicion. If trust is a priority, then going hyphen-free is the safer bet.
Can hyphenated domains rank well if they have strong content?
Yes, but it’s an uphill battle. Google doesn’t penalize hyphens, but users trust clutter-free domains more. Even with great content, a non-hyphenated domain has an edge in branding and clicks.
Are there any well-known brands that use hyphenated domains?
Sure, there are a couple of big names that use hyphens. For example, coca-cola.com and procter-gamble.com. But exceptions are not examples. Most successful brands steer clear of hyphens because, let’s face it, no one wants to make their domain name sound like a bad password with dashes in it.
