If you are in the SEO industry, you have probably already heard of the subdomain versus subdirectory debate. A subdomain is basically a distinct section of a website that operates under the main domain but has its own unique URL structure, such as blog.example.com. It functions independently and can have its own content, design, and purpose, separate from the main site. Conversely, a subdirectory is a folder within the main domain, represented by URLs like example.com/blog. It shares the same domain and typically follows the same design and structure as the main site, making it easier to manage and integrate with the primary content.
The debate in the SEO community centres around which structure is more beneficial for search engine optimisation. Proponents of subdomains argue that they allow for better organisation and can target specific keywords more effectively, potentially improving search rankings for niche topics. On the other hand, advocates for subdirectories believe that keeping all content under one domain consolidates authority and trust, which can enhance overall site performance in search results. In this article, we delve deeper into the subdomain vs. subdirectory debate by defining what these two mean and how they affect SEO.
What is a Subdomain?
Basically, a domain serves as the primary address of a website, while a subdomain is a segment of this domain, functioning as a child or subset. In a URL, the subdomain appears before the main domain. Subdomains are often used by site owners to separate different sections of a website from the root domain. For instance, Disney utilises various subdomains, each with a distinct purpose, such as cars.disney.com, videos.disney.com, princess.disney.com, and disneyparks.disney.com.
Google treats subdomains as entirely separate websites. Consequently, the keywords and rankings of pages on one subdomain do not affect those on another subdomain or the root domain. Any relationship between them relies on the interlinking system implemented by the site owner. This separation allows for targeted content management and organisation, but it also requires careful planning to ensure effective SEO strategies across all subdomains.
What is a Subdirectory?
Understanding the meaning of a subdirectory is quite simple. Subdirectories, also known as subfolders, are used to organise different segments within a main website while maintaining the same top-level domain (TLD). A subdirectory URL follows the root domain, such as it.com.sg/blog/, where it.com.sg is the root domain and blog/ is the subfolder. In essence, these subdirectories should contain topically related content, similar to how folders are used to group related files.
How Do Subdomains and Subdirectories Influence SEO?
Some SEO experts suggest that Google’s crawlers might mistake a subdomain for a completely different website from the main domain. However, others argue that Google’s crawlers can identify subdomains as extensions of the parent domain. Google, in particular, states that it crawls, indexes, and ranks subdomains and subdirectories in the same manner. This means that if you optimise pages for the same keywords on both your main site and a subdomain, you could end up competing against yourself.
On the other hand, some SEO experts believe that subdomains can simplify site navigation. This improved user experience can lead to higher engagement rates, which in turn can enhance your SEO performance. Subdomains can be advantageous for large corporations where subdomains serve distinct purposes and operate almost like separate businesses. For example, Disney uses subdomains like cars.disney.com, movies.disney.com, and shop.disney.com. Since these subdomains have different objectives, it is less critical if they do not share the same backlink authority, as they likely target different keywords.
Additionally, subdomains can help build niche authority, such as when a blog is intended to be a separate entity from the main product or service. Conversely, if your site lacks extensive verticals, you might not need subdomains, as consolidating links to your main site could be more beneficial. In such cases, subdirectories are sufficient.
Which One Is Better?
The answer to this question is quite simple: it depends. While the long-standing SEO subdomain vs. subdirectory debate can be complex, the choice ultimately hinges on your website’s specific requirements. Subdomains are useful for organising and structuring your site when you have a diverse range of important content to share. Conversely, subdirectories are beneficial for smaller websites with less varied content. That said, regardless of the structure you choose, it is crucial to always keep up with SEO best practices to achieve your website goals.
Conclusion:
The subdomain vs. subdirectory debate is a well-known topic in the field of SEO. As mentioned, a subdomain is a distinct section of a website with its own unique URL structure, operating independently from the main site. In contrast, a subdirectory is a folder within the main domain, sharing the same design and structure, making it easier to manage. The debate centres on which structure is more beneficial for SEO. Subdomains can improve organisation and target specific keywords, while subdirectories consolidate authority and trust. Ultimately, the choice on which between the two is better for SEO depends on the website’s needs, with subdomains being useful for diverse content and subdirectories for smaller sites. To ensure that you make the right choice, it is necessary to get a good grasp of subdomains and subdirectories and how they differ from each other.
