Dumb SEO Questions

(Entry was posted by Stephen Sabludowsky on this post in the Dumb SEO Questions community on Facebook, 08/12/2013).

Forwarding a domain name to a subcategory.

Wondering about the seo benefits of a domain name, being forwarded to the category/subcategories of an existing site.  I have read and heard that doing this has no seo benefit and then i have read the contrary opinions.  Feedback anyone?
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YOUR ANSWERS

Selected answers from the Dumb SEO Questions Facebook & G+ community.

  • Dan Vuksanovich: Keywords in a domain name do have some effect but are rapidly being devalued by Google's algorithms.
  • Stephen Sabludowsky: thanks Dan. just to be clear, I am referring to a domain name that is being transferred to a category/sub category of another existing website with a different domain name.
  • Clint Henderson: If the contents of that domain are truly being moved over to this new domain in the form of a category, and that particular domain has relevant links pointing into it and/or positive social signals, then yea, it will have SEO benefit.  ;

    But, if that domain isn't necessarily being "moved", but rather going away and you're just trying to pass over link juice to the most appropriate place on the new domain... I might leave it alone. ;

    The name of the domain will probably have little effect on the SEO. ;
  • Stephen Sabludowsky: this is a new category on an existing site just bought a domain name for that new category. So yes would to maintain benefits of existing site site and new name tailored made for the new category. Nothing is being moved. Thanks for feedback +Clint Henderson 
  • David E. Fowler: Stephen, have you considered duplicate content SEO problems with using two domain names for the same content?
  • Stephen Sabludowsky: David, interesting observation. Not sure how it should be duplicate though, as the content would only appear once. It would appear in the subcategory of master site which still has url of master site but the new domain just points to that category and the site would be branded with new domain. I could create a subdomain or new site but the new content fits in very well in master site. But you do make an intersting point, one that I do not think applies but one that should be considered. Thanks +David E. Fowler 

View original question in the Dumb SEO Questions community on Facebook, 08/12/2013).