searchenginejournal.com·Jun 8, 2026
Google's John Mueller has confirmed that hyphenated domain names are acceptable for SEO, dispelling the long-held belief that they carry a negative connotation. While they may be perceived as spammy and harder to type, they can enhance readability and are used by reputable brands and organizations.
The key insight for you is that hyphenated domain names are now confirmed by Google's John Mueller to be acceptable for SEO, breaking the long-standing belief that they carry a negative stigma. This could open up new opportunities for branding and keyword optimization in domain selection, especially if it enhances readability and clarity for users.