Will using my middle name affect my SEO?

[jamie]

I am recently married and am planning to launch new self-branded social media/website/etc. for myself (I am a graphic designer) with my new name. I am torn between just using my first and last name, or adding my middle name. The middle name ads a very memorable ring to my name, but will this affect SEO if people just search for my first and last name? Currently there are few results when you search for either combo.

[brodan]

If the search engines have records of another person with the same name, you should try to be more specific, so you should include your middle name.

If you are promoting a social site to the general public and not just to your friends, you should not use your name as a keyword. Unless you're already very famous, it is unlikely that people will be searching the web for your name.

[tin]

I would say add your middle name. I'm not sure what you mean by 'memorable ring' but if it is something unique / catchy then it'll make it easier for people to remember.

As there are already a few results appearing in the SERPs, it will be beneficial for you to add it to make the search string longer and differentiate yourself. Therefore, when people do search for you, after knowing about you through other forms of advertising and promotion, you stand a better chance of appearing higher up the rankings at an early stage of your SEO process.

Once you gain more recognition and your website and SEO progress matures you will stand a good chance of being high up in the rankings for the first and last name combination search too.