Subdomains or Folder on Main Domain for SEO/PPC?

PhoenixFlex · 09-02-2011, 04:58 AM

I've been wondering this - which is more appealing to the human visitor/spider for SEO and/or PPC - the keyword as a subdomain or as a folder on the main domain?
Eg: AboveTheMatrix.xreviews.com vs. xreviews.com/AboveTheMatrix

Cheers & luck to all,

Felix

Marty Foley · 09-02-2011, 10:50 AM

I don't think it matters that much, except that the use of a subdirectory allows you to use additional keywords in the URL, which could be advantageous in some circumstances.

Debra Barrow · 09-02-2011, 11:42 AM

It depends. A subdomain is treated as a separate and independent domain. It would have to be optimized just like any other site. It would not share the content, page rank and linking properties of the root domain. A subdomain has different themes, products, etc.

A subdirectory is seen as an extension of the root domain, and share it's linkjuice and page rank.

I have read that Google doesn't like it when the subdomain and root domain have the same content on it. You'll get a slap for that. The subdomain's content must be unique.

I've used both.

PhoenixFlex · 09-03-2011, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Debra Barrow

It depends. A subdomain is treated as a separate and independent domain. It would have to be optimized just like any other site. It would not share the content, page rank and linking properties of the root domain. A subdomain has different themes, products, etc.

A subdirectory is seen as an extension of the root domain, and share it's linkjuice and page rank.

I have read that Google doesn't like it when the subdomain and root domain have the same content on it. You'll get a slap for that. The subdomain's content must be unique.

I've used both.

So if you used a subdirectory your review would share the PR of all the other reviews?

JustaWizard · 09-03-2011, 10:59 AM

What Debra has told you is correct.

So, of course, whether you choose a subdomain or a folder structure depends on what you're trying to accomplish but if I understand your post correctly, you would be better off with a folder structure, from an SEO perspective.

Hope that helps.
David

09-02-2011, 04:58 AM	#1
PhoenixFlex Warrior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Earch Posts: 28 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Social Networking Contact Info	Subdomains or Folder on Main Domain for SEO/PPC? I've been wondering this - which is more appealing to the human visitor/spider for SEO and/or PPC - the keyword as a subdomain or as a folder on the main domain? Eg: AboveTheMatrix.xreviews.com vs. xreviews.com/AboveTheMatrix Cheers & luck to all, Felix

09-02-2011, 10:50 AM	#2
Marty Foley HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA. Posts: 327 Thanks: 4 Thanked 10 Times in 8 Posts	Re: Subdomains or Folder on Main Domain for SEO/PPC? I don't think it matters that much, except that the use of a subdirectory allows you to use additional keywords in the URL, which could be advantageous in some circumstances.
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09-02-2011, 11:42 AM	#3
Debra Barrow HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 224 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 137 Thanked 45 Times in 36 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Subdomains or Folder on Main Domain for SEO/PPC? It depends. A subdomain is treated as a separate and independent domain. It would have to be optimized just like any other site. It would not share the content, page rank and linking properties of the root domain. A subdomain has different themes, products, etc. A subdirectory is seen as an extension of the root domain, and share it's linkjuice and page rank. I have read that Google doesn't like it when the subdomain and root domain have the same content on it. You'll get a slap for that. The subdomain's content must be unique. I've used both.
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09-03-2011, 10:59 AM	#5
JustaWizard SEO Expert & Author War Room Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Vancouver, WA USA Posts: 489 Thanks: 201 Thanked 57 Times in 31 Posts Social Networking	Re: Subdomains or Folder on Main Domain for SEO/PPC? What Debra has told you is correct. So, of course, whether you choose a subdomain or a folder structure depends on what you're trying to accomplish but if I understand your post correctly, you would be better off with a folder structure, from an SEO perspective. Hope that helps. David
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