Punctuation's effect on your KW

[Jeepster]

My understanding is that commas have no effect in title tags or in the body of copy. However, singular/plural is a different kettle of fish.
Eg, if you type in property in Italy you get different results from propertTIES in Italy. Shouldn't be, but is.

[jihni]

Let's say i am trying to rank for the KW phrase "Buffalo NY Homes". Would G see a difference b/w "Buffalo NY Homes" and "Buffalo, NY Homes". Or would the comma not effect the KW phrase?

Based on experience, the comma does not make a difference with google.

[Robert Worthington]

I try to leave the commas out but I'm not an seo expert, not even close. I just feel that customers are don't always type in the punctuations so I leave them out.

[thataway61]

I leave them out as well. Tough habit to break. I'm pretty sure they are ignored as well, but will confirm what jeepster says in that there is quite a difference in results of singular and plural uses.

[Joelrunner]

It doesn't appear to make a difference in the SERPS, but it couldn't hurt to mix your off-site SEO efforts up by including the comma occasionally.

[Eric Blackwell]

Guys...

I would go back to what Cal was trying to point out. Methinks he nailed it right. Commas and much of the other punctuation do not matter.

Plurals are NOT punctuation and since they can be used very differently in context, they often do matter, but not always.

The advice to TEST is always good IMO....

best

Eric