Subdomain or Folder – What does Google like better?

by Jack Humphrey on Dec 10

Search Engine Watch has a great link building post today on the difference between using folders/directories or subdomains and how Google views both in terms of rankings.

You are going to get an education in subdomains today, because oddly, Search Engine Round Table also did a piece on the topic with the same Matt Cutts info, but taking another angle on the issue.

It’s not really odd. These search engine sites are just doing their jobs. Matt Cutts talks about something and they report it. The New York Times and USA Today will have the same cover stories frequently as well.

It seems there’s no difference in using a directory to put, say, your blog versus a subdomain. There are definitely preferences among site owners, but in the end it’s about the links. A sort of “My directory can beat your subdomain any day of the week” kind of thing if you have enough link popularity.

Tagged as: Search Engine Optimization, search engine roundtable, search engine watch, seo

  • http://searchenginewatch.com Kevin Heisler

    Thanks for recognizing Eric’s post. One of the interesting aspects of Google’s “announcement” — when Matt speaks, people listen. But they don’t always hear the right thing. Matt was generous enough to post the correct version of his talk — and thank those for correcting their updates that misinformed readers of other blogs.

    Cheers,

    Kevin Heisler
    Executive Editor
    Search Engine Watch

  • http://netmarketingtoolbox.com Net Marketing Toolbox

    Hello Jack

    The main benefit I see of using subdomains vs folders is that I also get separate detailed statistics for each subdomain, so I know exactly how it is/isn’t working for me.

    Putting the major, “different” parts of your site/marketing strategy into separate subdomains makes it easier to see what’s happening with visits and referrals etc – i.e. your blog, affiliates section etc.

    Another example… if you run any sort of local banner advertising server, run that on a subdomain so all the impressions and image displays etc don’t confuse the “real” stats of your main site.

    Regards
    Stephen Spry

  • http://naady.com African safari vacations

    Hey Jack, you are one of those people i respect in internet marketing. Your web 2.0 strategies have really helped me set up my African safari site. Keep preaching web 2.0 i like the way you put it. it’s not the future its hear with us.

    African safari vacations’s last blog post..Mikumi National Park, dainty and appealing.

  • http://www.casseva.com Search Engine Optimisation – Casseva

    I think that a subdomain definately carries more weight with regard to backlinks!
    Also subdomains allow you to put your keywords at the front of the domain, which have more weight and prominence. I also agree that its easier to track a subdomain stats, with folders there is some crossover.

    Search Engine Optimisation – Casseva’s last blog post..Search Engine News 3

  • http://www.lovingtech.net Webmaster Forums

    Subdomains get treated as different sites though…

  • http://www.kennethyoung.ca kenneth young

    Did you know that you can use sub domains and link them to your affiliate links. Most of you gurus probably already new about this however I just found this out today to my delight,its also a great way to keep your affiliate commissions from been stolen.

    Kenneth

  • http://www.kangaprint.com.au/printing/presentationfolders.php Merry@http://www.kangaprint.com.au/printing/presentationfolders.php

    Creating folders are any day better than a sub domain. Sub domains are treated as completely new site where as if you have a folder that linking that is been done for main domain will pass on some trust to this folder.

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