directories vs. subdomains

[bensdbensd is verified member.]

Is there any importance of using one instead of the other?

What are the pros and cons?

-Ben

 

[aZooZaaZooZa is verified member.]

Is there any importance of using one instead of the other?

What are the pros and cons?

-Ben

Yes, I'd be interested to hear opinions on this and how this stuff is currently looked on by Google. I know it's an 'old chestnut' but does Google currently penalise or ignore?

So, for a whole slew of sites, you have three obvious choices:

1. Register individual domains.

2. subdomain.maindomain.ext

3. www.maindomain.ext/subdir

Another question: If you went the 'individual domain' route, and had all the domains one one server and linked them, would you actually get penalised or ignored (but not penalised) by Google for that?

Google seems to change so often that I think this type of question is bound to pop up regularly, and domainers' input on current experience is always dead useful.

Thanks!

 

[bensdbensd is verified member.]

From my initial post i have read a lot more into this.

Yes, I'd be interested to hear opinions on this and how this stuff is currently looked on by Google. I know it's an 'old chestnut' but does Google currently penalise or ignore?

So, for a whole slew of sites, you have three obvious choices:

1. Register individual domains.

2. subdomain.maindomain.ext

3. www.maindomain.ext/subdir

Google used to give more weight to internal links from subdomains than directory pages, however this has changed so it doesn't matter which you do.

However, for large sites there is some advantages to using subdomains. In G serps each website is only allowed 2 places in the serp. G will index each subdomain as a separate "website", so buy using subdomains you can achieve more than 2 places in the serps.

Another question: If you went the 'individual domain' route, and had all the domains one one server and linked them, would you actually get penalised or ignored (but not penalised) by Google for that?

Google seems to change so often that I think this type of question is bound to pop up regularly, and domainers' input on current experience is always dead useful.

Thanks!

If you had a massive network of sites that were all interlinking, G will see this as "spamming" (black hat seo). However you would need to have a very large network where all the sites interlinked.

Please note that the above two comments are my summary of info i have read accross many forums, so if anyone would like to add anything or correct me then please do!

-Ben

 

[aZooZaaZooZa is verified member.]

From my initial post i have read a lot more into this.


Google used to give more weight to internal links from subdomains than directory pages, however this has changed so it doesn't matter which you do.

However, for large sites there is some advantages to using subdomains. In G serps each website is only allowed 2 places in the serp. G will index each subdomain as a separate "website", so buy using subdomains you can achieve more than 2 places in the serps.


If you had a massive network of sites that were all interlinking, G will see this as "spamming" (black hat seo). However you would need to have a very large network where all the sites interlinked.

Please note that the above two comments are my summary of info i have read accross many forums, so if anyone would like to add anything or correct me then please do!

-Ben

Many thanks Ben. As you say, all additions to this thread would be appreciated. Hopefully Doug Scott will pick this up and throw in a few comments. Doug -- you there?

 

[dougs]

morning

100% agree

new sites will take time

better to use old sites and use the "google love" they already have

subdomains or directories I know Mat has openly said they view them as the same......unless you go mad....then they can you completely

Cross linking between sites, ie "friendly networks" can be issues as they are old spam techniques.....so do but don't go stupid. When they tighten the algo you will see your sites vanish and then when they loosen up they will come back.....do them but do them naturally would be my advice.

Doug

 

[Takwa]

I always thought Google now will downgrade your domain if you're using subs, as they will view it as one domain.... anyway I always been advised to use folders instead.

 

[aZooZaaZooZa is verified member.]

100% agree

new sites will take time

better to use old sites and use the "google love" they already have

subdomains or directories I know Mat has openly said they view them as the same......unless you go mad....then they can you completely

Cross linking between sites, ie "friendly networks" can be issues as they are old spam techniques.....so do but don't go stupid. When they tighten the algo you will see your sites vanish and then when they loosen up they will come back.....do them but do them naturally would be my advice.

Doug

Thank you Doug.

 

[doodlebug]

If you had a network of sites interlinking which you own then i don't see how it is fair that Google penalise you for this.
The way i see it is that if you owned 200 shops across the UK and in each one you advertised the other 199 shops then the trading standards wouldn't fine you for this, you are simply maximising your marketing cost at the lowest available costs ?

If i am wrong or missing something ? Please inform me, as i have said in other posts, i am still learning about Websites/SEO/domaining
Thanks !!!