Subdomains vs Directories?

[trigatch4]

When is each appropriate and most beneficial?

I reckon when it completes a common "search phrase" in the order it is likely searched, and is also main broad category of your website, it is appropriate. For example, deepsea.fishing.com or surf.fishing.com.

Also, anyone using subdomains with wordpress and if so, are you installing a separate incidence of wordpress on each subdomain?

Interested in the response...

 

[emp]

I don't really think it makes a difference.

For me, I use it when the magnitude of the project is enough to warrant a subdomain.

So, for example I am still working on that CSE idea.

CSE directories « Blind Ape SEO

Search engines for every idea are going to take up multiple directories and such, so I am keeping the focus areas targeted by using subdomains.

To make this more understandable:

I have a portal with custom search engines. One area might be trains.

It'll have sub-areas like steam trains, electrical trains, model trains, history of trains, european train history, etc...

All those already occupy an extensive dir-tree.

Now that I want X more areas to branch out into, subdomains make sense.

Thus I'll have

trains.myspamsearchengine.net
goldfish.myspamsearchengine.net
wickedfire.myspamsearchengine.net
neurology.myspamsearchengine.net
breastimplanst.myspamsearchengine.net

This might actually give me an advantage, because some search engines consider both

1. the position of the search term in the URL ("trains")
2. the length of the URL "trains.spamsearchengine.net" vs. "www.spamsearchengine.net/topics/trains"

Overall, I don't think it makes a lot of difference other than organization.

::emp::

 

[NYDAz]

I don't use subdomains ... I like the classic way ... but if you notice some diferences don't forget to tell us

Good luck

 

[geekcognito]

I don't really think it makes a difference.

For me, I use it when the magnitude of the project is enough to warrant a subdomain.

So, for example I am still working on that CSE idea.

CSE directories « Blind Ape SEO

Search engines for every idea are going to take up multiple directories and such, so I am keeping the focus areas targeted by using subdomains.

To make this more understandable:

I have a portal with custom search engines. One area might be trains.

It'll have sub-areas like steam trains, electrical trains, model trains, history of trains, european train history, etc...

All those already occupy an extensive dir-tree.

Now that I want X more areas to branch out into, subdomains make sense.

Thus I'll have

trains.myspamsearchengine.net
goldfish.myspamsearchengine.net
wickedfire.myspamsearchengine.net
neurology.myspamsearchengine.net
breastimplanst.myspamsearchengine.net

This might actually give me an advantage, because some search engines consider both

1. the position of the search term in the URL ("trains")
2. the length of the URL "trains.spamsearchengine.net" vs. "www.spamsearchengine.net/topics/trains"

Overall, I don't think it makes a lot of difference other than organization.

::emp::

Good stuff to ponder. I am a fan of subdirectories for larger branches too.

And I subscribed to your blog. Because, if for nothing else, apes kick ass.

 

[randomlande]

I use directories cuz its much easier than logging into the cp and making a subdomain

 

[DaveEMG]

As far as I've been able to tell, subdomains seem to yield better indexing. As with everything SEO, it's more of an art than a science.