Domain Registration Australia Icon AUSTRALIAN OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 1996 Domain Registration Phone Number 1300 863 436

AFFORDABLE EMAIL &
WEB HOSTING PLANS

FREE

VIRUS PROTECTION &
SPAM FILTERING

HOSTING PLANS STARTING AT:

$144 /year
FREE SETUP

Domain Name News

Google And New Generic Top Level Domains

July 22, 2015

Google is still trying to douse myths that new gTLD's give an SEO (search engine optmization) advantage. The search giant has also offered some important info for those tossing up between registering a .com or a .com.au domain name.

Over the last year or so there have been claims made that recently released gTLD's (generic Top Level Domains) offer a Google ranking advantage.

John Mueller, a Google Webmaster Trends Analyst, has again sought to clarify the situation.

With regard to how new gTLD's affect search, Mr. Mueller says they are treated like any other and keywords in an extension do not provide any disadvantage, nor any advantage in ranking.

The same goes for .BRAND type TLD's says Mr. Mueller - they will be treated the same as other gTLDs.

This also applies to region or city TLDs - these too will be treated as gTLDs for now; however Google will monitor how they're used in practice.

But when it comes to ccTLDs (country code Top Level Domains) such as .au - it does make a difference.

"By default, most ccTLDs (with exceptions) result in Google using these to geotarget the website; it tells us that the website is probably more relevant in the appropriate country," says Mr. Mueller.

While the debate regarding new gTLD ranking advantage will no doubt rage on regardless of Google's official position, the above is from the horse's mouth so to speak. The full remarks about these and other new gTLD questions answered by Mr. Mueller can be viewed here.

Registering .com.au domains also offers another distinct advantage - a level of instant trust and credibility. A survey last year found Australians gravitate towards .COM.AU; particularly where financial transactions are involved - such as banking and general ecommerce. Another survey in 2014 found two-thirds of  respondents more likely to trust a website under a .au domain compared with only one-third for a .com.

Have a web site or blog? Get our free domain news widget.

Domain News Archives

Return to news home

Available Domain Name Search & Register

www.

How to register a name: Enter your choice in the search tool and click 'GO'. If after the check the domain names search results show your choice is available, you will then have the option to proceed to purchase registration; which is a very quick and easy process - start a search and find your ideal website address now.