Beware of the trap: Google reveals what to avoid when choosing your domain

Google expert John Mueller has revealed what to watch out for when selecting a domain. According to him, some brands and companies make a mistake that can be difficult to recover from - but it's easy to avoid.

Keyword Domains

Choosing the right domain

A domain is the business card of your website. Without it, your brand, product, or company is almost invisible online. A domain is essential for achieving online visibility and success. Ideally, you should check before launching your business whether your desired domain is still available, which TLD combinations you want to secure, and whether there are alternatives to your dream domain. You can find a vast selection of domains on Sedo's marketplace.

 

John Mueller's advice

John Mueller, Senior Webmaster Trends Analyst at Google, warns that many users make the mistake of using keyword domains for their branding, which he considers a clear SEO trap. Those who choose too generic brand names or keywords for their domain may struggle to rank well on Google. The competition for generic keywords is high, making it harder to stand out. Mueller suggests opting for specific keyword domains that are less general but have a higher uniqueness. This way, you'll be competing with fewer websites, and the likelihood of users being directed to your site is higher. For example, if you are a nature photographer, Mueller suggest not to use the keyword “nature photography,” but to use your own last name in combination with a thematically appropriate keyword. In his opinion, this makes your brand more distinct and easier to find on Google.

 

Not everyone agrees

However, John Mueller's view is not universally accepted in SEO circles. Domain investors also have divided opinions, as strong, generic keywords combined with a strong TLD can be highly valuable. For a deeper dive into the pros and cons, check out namePros, where a lively discussion is already underway. What do you think: Are generic, strong keywords the way to go, or is it better to opt for more specific and unique domains? 

 

Source: domain-recht.de/newsletter-archiv/newsletter-archiv-2025/domain-newsletter-ausgabe-1281-21-august-2025-70022.html Keyword-Domains nutzen oder doch auf spezifische Keyword-Domains setzen, um SEO-Erfolg zu haben?