Is old domain better even if it was just parked?

[draymond]

Debating registering new domain or spending bucks for old domain, both with equivalent keywords. Normally old is better, but is this true even if the old name was just parked? In other words, is it worth spending $ for a domain that is not indexed or not ranked, just to get the aging? Options...

[Keyword]Help.com - new, cheap

[Keyword]Guide.com - old, not indexed, $

[Keyword]Info.com - old, indexed but not ranked anywhere (i.e., only found with exact match search), $$

[KeriMorgret]

Hi Doug,

I'm going back and looking at older questions. Can you share with us what you decided and how it turned out?

[draymond]

Thanks Vinnie!

Even the 3rd one which is indexed is just parked with no content. I have read much about the value of aged domains, but it sounds like age without rank, links or trust is of little value.

[vforvinnie]

I would say the first two are about even, unless you want exact match results.  Then whichever one is more lucrative might be better, although Google seems to be trending away from rewarding exact matches (although they still do).  Age is only really a benefit if it's been indexed and has built links and trust over time.

The third one seems good, but how is the content?  Is it relevant?  None of the three are going to give you a huge boost, but the third one might give you a slight head start.

I feel like you could spend the money you saved on not buying the old domain on good content or marketing efforts on the new domain.