Google published a post explaining how they handle all of the new top level domains that are appearing around the internet. I get asked a lot about how valuable one may be over the other. The simple answer is that Google treats all of these top level domains the same way, but there are some minor details to look at, especially when looking at geographically specific TLD’s like .uk .
If you want to see specifically what Google says as well as their links to other further explanations on specific instances, check it out Google’s Post on handling TLD’s.
From an SEO standpoint I would say that in most cases, since it is basically handled the same way, it comes down to marketing. If you think that making your site a .lawyer instead of .com will be more memorable or help, go for it. Just make sure you follow the standard rules of doing a 301 of your old .com to the new version so you don’t lose your domain strength or your old links. Hold on to the old .com so the people that just put in .com as a habit don’t go somewhere else.
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