This discussion appears to be from experts, which support a "strong" generic domain theory and how it might effect SE ranking (of course content/links are important too). The discussion is about importance of "hypenated" names and how they effect ranking. They do say
http://articulate-domains.com/articulate-domain-names-search-engines.htm
>>>>>>>A website's commercial success depends strongly on how it performs in the search engines, and its search engine placement is dependent upon a range of optimization techniques.
As website optimization experts know, some of the largest search engines look for keywords in the first item viewed -
the domain name, or url. The two super-engines - Inktomi and Google, which between them supply results to Yahoo, AOL, HotBot, Lycos, Netscape, iWon, Looksmart, MSN & GoTo, Goo, About.com, use this technique.
Like the human eye, the search engine can only read what it can properly see. If it can see key search terms in the domain, then this site's relevancy rating is enhanced. (See also forums.internet.com 'Can search engines parse long names ..')
The oneworddomain in contrast, carries no particular advantage if it cannot be easily read, and indeed is disadvantageous when illegible or ambiguous.
This URL check is especially advantageous to generic names, as they embed universal keywords and search terms. This is why many hyphenated url's may be seen currently occupying top positions in major engines like Google, who especially likes the hyphen.
- Additionally, Google and others will boost rankings if inbound links to the site contain readable, relevant keywords - thus investing the hyphenated domain with even further search engine edge. The hyphenated domain is the astute webmaster's secret tool for high-powered search engine performance. <<<<<<
Not too sure I'll be getting a hypenated name to rank higher in SE's, especially when people have to recall where the "hypens" are supposed to go after they've left your site, but this information tends to support having decent "generic" names.
