Exact Match Domain & Title Tag / URL

[Kusanagi17]

I currently own an exact match domain for my keyword.  I have it set up with multiple pages and also a blog.   The home page essentially serves as a hub and contains links to all the pages and the blog.

My targeted keyword is on its own page and I made the title tag the same as my keyword. As an example the URL for my targeted post looks like this:

benefitsofrunningshoes.com/benefits-of-running-shoes

I have solid, non-spammy content and clean whitehat earned backlinks directing to that specific page.

My concern right now is that the URL looks kinda spammy.  The website has been live for about a week and the home page ranks well enough but my targeted page is no where to be found.  (it does show up if I manually search via search command "site:benefitsofrunningshoes.com").

I'm wondering if it is acceptable to use the exact keyword in title tag / page url if it is also in the domain as an EMD?

Should I change the title tag and leave the URL in?  Or should I completely change the title tag and URL and 301 redirect to the new page?  I appreciate any help!

[Kusanagi17]

Thanks Daniel - this does help clarify things!

[Daniel_Morgan]

Hi Kusanagi17,

If you really badly want to rank for the keyword, there's no need to create that extra page ie, /benefits-of-running-shoes. With your domain name being what it is, it's fine just to use that same keyword in the title of the home page.

With regards to why that page isn't being indexed, yes it's probably to do with Google deeming that there's no need for that page given the domain name, but also the fact that a new site's deeper pages will take time to be indexed. Given that it's a new site I wouldn't worry at all about adding a 301 redirect from the extra page to the home page.

Hope that helps!

Daniel