I wanted to choose a domain, but it turned out to be much more difficult than I thought.

All the good ones are already taken.

After spending three days searching, I found a few that might work, but I have some doubts:

Are domains with a history worth buying?

I noticed that since 2009, the domain has been registered and dropped several times. Now it's available again. Won't Yandex think the domain is worthless because of this?

Could there be any risks that the domain won't be indexed well because of a bad history (maybe it had some penalties or still has them)?

How can I learn more about the domain's history? Is there any way to access the wayback machine to check the domain's archive? How can I find out if there are any penalties?

Is it even worth the risk?? Or should I just go for a new one?

And another thing: these domains have hyphens. Should I use them or try to find something else?

Domains with a history can be a bit of a double-edged sword. On one hand, an aged domain can have some SEO benefits, like existing backlinks and possibly even some residual traffic. On the other hand, if the domain has been dropped several times or used for something shady in the past, it could come with some baggage. Yandex, Google, and other search engines do keep track of a domain's history, and if it has a poor track record, it might take more work to get it to rank well.

Here's what you need to consider:
Check the domain's history: You can use tools like the Wayback Machine (archive.org) to see what kind of content was previously hosted on the domain. This can give you a good idea of whether the domain was used for legitimate purposes or if it was part of some spammy operation. Another tool you can use is Whois History which might give you insight into previous owners.

Look for penalties: If the domain was previously penalized by search engines, it could be difficult to recover from that. You can use tools like Google Search Console (if you have access to the domain) to check for any manual actions or penalties. Also, tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush can help you analyze the backlink profile and see if there are any toxic links pointing to the domain.

Consider the drops: The fact that the domain has been registered and dropped multiple times could be a red flag. It might mean that previous owners didn't see value in it, or worse, that they encountered issues with it. However, this doesn't necessarily mean the domain is worthless. It could simply be that it wasn't properly utilized.

Hyphens in domains: Domains with hyphens are generally considered less desirable, especially in terms of branding and user-friendliness. People tend to forget to include hyphens when typing out URLs, which could result in lost traffic. From an SEO perspective, hyphens don't necessarily hurt you, but they aren't typically as strong as a clean, hyphen-free domain.

Worth the risk?: If the domain has a clean history and good backlinks, it could be worth taking the risk, especially if the name is a good fit for your brand. However, if there's any indication that the domain has a shady past, it might be better to go for a fresh domain. Starting with a clean slate can sometimes be easier and safer, especially if you're worried about SEO and potential penalties.

Steps you should take:
Use Wayback Machine: Check what kind of content was hosted on the domain previously. Look out for anything that seems off or spammy.
Analyze the backlink profile: Use tools like Ahrefs to see what kind of links are pointing to the domain. Toxic or spammy backlinks are a bad sign.
Check for penalties: If possible, check the domain in Google Search Console for any penalties or warnings. If you can't access it, tools like Moz or SEMrush can sometimes give you clues.
Decide on hyphens: If the domain with hyphens is the best option you can find, it might still be worth considering, but be aware of the branding challenges.

Buying a domain with a history can be a good move, but you have to do your homework. If the history is clean, and the domain fits your needs, go for it. But if you find any signs of trouble, or if you're just not sure, it might be safer to look for a brand new domain without any potential baggage. And about those hyphens – if you can avoid them, that's probably best for long-term branding, but don't let them be a dealbreaker if everything else looks good.

If you find a domain name thats actuallly good and fits your project, dont hesitate, just grab it, rite? Them search engins and analytics tools are always changin, but a good, memorable name is always in style, and its gonna bring you benifits if you use it rite.

And lets be real, you probly wont come up with a super cool name that nobodys ever thought of befor, its just stats, not becaus you aint creative enuf. Findin a good domain name is work, and it costs cash, so dont expect it to be easy.

You gotta do your research, chek the availability, and make shure its not already taken by sombody els. And even if you find a good one, you gotta make shure its gonna work with your project, like, its gonna be easy to remember, and its gonna look good on busines cards and all that.

So, good luck with that, you gonna need it. But seriously, takin the time to find a good domain name is worth it, its like, the foundation of your online presence, and its gonna make a big differens in the long run.

And, btw, dont forhet to chek the domain history, like, who owned it befor, and what kinda content was on it, you dont wanna inheret somebad karma or somethin. Just sayin.

Concerned about risks? If you really like a domain, just go for it and enjoy the process. Don't let worries hold you back.

Regarding the use of hyphens in domain names—should you use them or find something different? If you think the domain with a hyphen fits your needs, then grab it! Some people prefer domains with hyphens, while others avoid them. It's largely a matter of personal preference.

In fact, some believe that having a domain with a hyphen might actually help in getting clients for a non-hyphenated version. So, it's really up to you and what you feel comfortable with.

Ultimately, if you like the domain, don't hesitate. Go ahead and register it. Experience and personal satisfaction are what count the most!