Google Ends Search Traffic to Parked Domain Names

A new Google algorithm update heralds the end of Google traffic toparked domain names. Many domainers and webmasters usually park hundreds of keyword rich domain names and monetize them through advertising programs like GoDaddy Cash Parking and Google Adsense for Domains.

Google Search has revealed that this new update brings in a new classifier which will affect parked domain traffic.

New “parked domain” classifier: This is a new algorithm for automatically detecting parked domains. Parked domains are placeholder sites that are seldom useful and often filled with ads. They typically don’t have valuable content for our users, so in most cases we prefer not to show them.

A parked domain name displays a temporary web page when people type your domain name in a web browser. People usually park domain names till they decide to create a website, find a hosting provider, or simply to hold and sell domain names later. Till then most decide to make money online with the page, which might draw some Google traffic at least.

If you look around at parked domain names, typically they are keyword rich for targeting specific traffic and have no useful content. Moreover, while the domain is parked, domain owners decide to install advertising programs, which also brings in advertising revenue on the side. Since the parked domain page is full of ads only, there is a high chance the visitor who reaches such a page will click through and make money for the domain owner.

Many domain name registrars offer domain parking monetization services. GoDaddy Cash Parking is a service from Godaddy domain registrar, which displays ads on parked domains and domain owners can earn 60-80% of the ad revenue. They charge $4-$5 per month for the basic plan service.Google Adsense for Domains is another free popular program by Google, where domain owners can display Adsense ads on their parked domain names to earn free money.

Now Google is set to change all that … and parked domain names will get much lower search engine traffic it seems. This will seriously affect all domain parking income for people who target this monetization strategy.  What are your thoughts?