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I used to be more likely to click a link on Google if the domain name looked more authoritative. So, a lot of those common names with high prices would seem to be valuable for that reason. And, I think Google ranks sites higher if the domain name has the keyword in it.

These days with so much spam, I try to avoid domain names with my search keyword in them.

"And, I think Google ranks sites higher if the domain name has the keyword in it."

There is some effect, but it's not that significant. Bing, on the other hand, seems to weight domain names very highly.

won't happen

why? Simple..exact match bonus.

An exact match domain has a much MUCH easier time getting to the #1 spot in search results.

This is why creditcards.com outranks all of the big banks.

"it just doesn't seem that people navigate to sites that way"

It may not "seem" that way, but our data suggests strongly otherwise.