Where do you keep your blog? Subdomain or Subdirectory? Read this to know what’s better.

Blogging has become an integral part of content marketing strategies. It’s a way to share valuable information with the audience and build relationships with them. But when it comes to hosting a blog, there are two options – keeping it on a subdomain or redirecting it to a subdirectory. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages. In this blog, we’ll discuss each option’s pros and cons and recommend which is better.

What is a subdomain in SEO?

A subdomain is part of a larger domain. It is used to separate different sections of a website. For example, a company’s blog can be hosted on a subdomain like blog.company.com. This separates the blog from the main website and allows the company to use a different platform or CMS for the blog.

From an SEO perspective, a subdomain is considered a distinct entity from the main domain. This means the subdomain has its authority and can rank separately in search engine results pages (SERPs). However, it also means that the authority of the main domain doesn’t pass on to the subdomain, which can affect the subdomain’s search rankings.

What is a subdirectory in SEO?

A subdirectory is part of a larger website. For example, a company’s blog can be hosted on a subdirectory like company.com/blog. This keeps the blog within the main website and allows the company to use the same platform or CMS for the blog.

From an SEO perspective, a subdirectory is considered a part of the main domain. This means that the subdirectory inherits the authority of the main domain, which can positively affect its search rankings. However, it also means that the subdirectory has to compete with other pages and sections of the website for rankings.

Pros of subdomain

1. Separation of content: Hosting a blog on a subdomain allows for a clear separation of content from the main website. This can make it easier for users to navigate the website and find what they want.
2. Flexibility: Hosting a blog on a subdomain allows for more flexibility in terms of design, functionality, and content management systems. This can make creating a unique blog experience for the audience easier.
3. Branding: Hosting a blog on a subdomain can also help with branding. Companies can create a distinct brand identity for their blog by using a different domain.

Cons of subdomain

1. Authority: As mentioned earlier, a subdomain is considered a separate entity from the main domain. This means that the authority of the main domain doesn’t pass on to the subdomain, which can affect the subdomain’s search rankings.
2. Link equity: Links from the subdomain to the main domain and vice versa are considered external links. This means that link equity doesn’t pass between the subdomain and the main domain, which can negatively affect both the subdomain and the main domain’s search rankings.
3. Cookie issues: Hosting a blog on a subdomain can create cookie issues. Since cookies are shared across the entire domain, users who visit the subdomain can inadvertently share cookies with the main domain. This can result in security risks and affect user privacy.

Pros of subdirectory

1. Authority: Hosting a blog on a subdirectory allows the subdirectory to inherit the authority of the main domain. This can positively affect the subdirectory’s search rankings and visibility.
2. Link equity: Links between the subdirectory and other pages on the main domain are considered internal links. This means that link equity passes between the subdirectory and the main domain, which can positively affect both the subdirectory and the main domain’s search rankings.
3. User experience: Hosting a blog on a subdirectory can provide a seamless user experience. Users can access the blog from the main website without having to navigate to a separate domain. This can make it easier for users to find and engage with the blog.

Cons of subdirectory

1. Content separation: Hosting a blog on a subdirectory can make it difficult to separate the blog content from the main website content. This can make it harder for users to find the blog and affect the website’s navigation.
2. Flexibility: Hosting a blog on a subdirectory can limit flexibility in terms of design, functionality, and content management systems. Since the blog is part of the main website, any changes made to the main website can affect the blog.
3. Branding: Hosting a blog on a subdirectory can also limit branding opportunities. Since the blog is part of the main website, it may be challenging to create a distinct brand identity for the blog.

Final recommendation on which is better

After weighing the pros and cons of each option, it’s clear that hosting a blog on a subdirectory is the better option. Here’s why:

1. Authority: Hosting a blog on a subdirectory allows the blog to inherit the authority of the main domain. This can positively affect the blog’s search rankings and visibility.
2. Link equity: Links between the blog and other pages on the main domain are considered internal links. This means that link equity passes between the blog and the main domain, which can positively affect both the blog and the main domain’s search rankings.
3. User experience: Hosting a blog on a subdirectory can provide a seamless user experience. Users can access the blog from the main website without navigating to a separate domain. This can make it easier for users to find and engage with the blog.

While hosting a blog on a subdomain may provide flexibility and branding opportunities, it’s not worth the negative impact on search rankings and user experience. Hosting a blog on a subdirectory may require more effort in design and content management, but the benefits of SEO and user experience make it a better option overall.

In conclusion, when it comes to hosting a blog, it’s essential to consider the pros and cons of each option before making a decision. While hosting a blog on a subdomain may provide flexibility and branding opportunities, hosting a blog on a subdirectory is the better option for SEO and user experience. Keeping the blog within the main website can inherit the authority of the main domain and provide a seamless user experience for visitors.