First post, so im sorry if this has been covered [probably has] but if you can help me out or direct me to the proper thread/forum that would be much, much appreciated..

In terms of optimizing your URL (assuming a two word targeted keyword), do you need to put a dash between them??

For example; pepsi-cola not pepsicola
??

Thanks!

The search engines will ready both options, the dash will make it easy for users to read

Yes, you should use a dash but not an underscore.

Thanks for the quick replies guys...

Right now I have my URL setup and indexed by Google as blah.com/pepsicola/

Is it really worth changing it around to be blah.com/pepsi-cola/

I can, of course, update all the links to the pages, create a 301 redirect from the old url to the new url, and update my sitemap... I'm just wondering if there is really a benefit to be gained here?

Or, does Google know that we're all doing the whole 'put a dash' thing and they treat the word combined (without a dash) the same way they would with a dash?

I know if I do a search, Google will bold the keyword even if it is together without a dash.

Thoughts?

First post, so im sorry if this has been covered [probably has] but if you can help me out or direct me to the proper thread/forum that would be much, much appreciated..

In terms of optimizing your URL (assuming a two word targeted keyword), do you need to put a dash between them??

For example; pepsi-cola not pepsicola
??

Thanks!

Not required but the dash is better. Welcome to SEW and best of luck to you.:)

In terms of optimizing your URL (assuming a two word targeted keyword), do you need to put a dash between them??

For example; pepsi-cola not pepsicola


The URL is more readable if a dash is included between the terms.