Let’s talk about something that’s been a source of endless debate among SEOs for as long as I can remember: subdomains versus unterverzeichnisse (subdirectories) and which one reigns supreme for SEO.
Honestly it’s a bit of a head-scratcher right? You see a lot of SEOs swearing by subdirectories insisting they’re the only way to go.
But that’s a myth a stubborn one that’s clung around thanks to some outdated studies.
The truth is Google has repeatedly stated that both are perfectly fine.
Way back in 2012 Matt Cutts himself said they’re pretty much equivalent – choose whichever is simpler for your setup.
And then in 2017 John Mueller echoed that sentiment basically saying Google’s search engine handles both just fine.
They couldn’t have made it clearer.
Yet some SEOs still argue against Google’s stance—its almost comical! I love John’s sarcastic response to these arguments.
The Great Subdomain vs. Unterverzeichnis Debate: Why It’s All a Bit Much
Why all the fuss? Why do people get so worked up about this seemingly small detail? Well it boils down to a few misunderstandings.
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It’s like arguing about whether the left or right path is better when both lead to the same destination! Let me simplify this whole thing for you…
The Virtual Nature of URL Paths
Without getting too technical these paths—subdomains and subdirectories—are largely virtual in most modern systems.
This means they don’t actually correspond to physical locations on a server.
You can change their names and positions in the URL structure in a matter of minutes.
Think about it: you can easily shift a subdomain to function as a subdirectory without changing anything else.
So why do people think the path’s location in the URL matters so much? It’s almost silly! It’s like arguing about the color of the paint on a race car.
Check our top articles on Subdomain vs. Unterverzeichnis, ist das eine besser als das andere für SEO?
The Misconception About Subdomains as Separate Entities
Many SEOs believe subdomains are treated like separate domains. This is a simplification. If you integrate subdomains as a core part of your site using internal links etcetera search engines will likely treat them much like subdirectories. However if you don’t treat them as part of your main website (meaning no internal links connecting them) then yes they might be treated as separate entities. That’s a big “if”.
A Little History Lesson: When Subdomains Had an Edge
There was a time a long time ago in a galaxy far far away when you could use subdomains to gain extra SERP rankings.
But as with many things SEOs abused this loophole.
Google closed that loophole in one of the old domain/host clustering updates.
The days of gaining an unfair advantage with subdomains are over!
Today subdomains are typically treated as part of the same website if they’re presented as such. Even sitelinks often include links to subdomains. Look at Disney Github LinkedIn Google Amazon Microsoft—the list goes on and on. These major brands all utilize subdomains and have sitelinks leading to them.
Debunking the Myths: Why Those Case Studies Might Be Misleading
Many case studies claim subdirectories outperform subdomains.
However I’ve yet to see one that wasn’t complicated by other changes like added internal linking or the migration of multiple sites into one.
Let’s examine these claims a bit more closely shall we?
The Pitfalls of Comparing Apples and Oranges
When we’re analyzing case studies we need to make sure we’re comparing apples and apples.
Let’s say a company moves from a subdomain to a subdirectory.
There might be a temporary dip in traffic because Google needs to re-evaluate everything.
Or if the move coincides with a seasonal peak it’ll skew the results.
You might see growth in the new directory but if you don’t look at the old directory it’s not a fair comparison!
The Importance of Proper Setup and Tracking
Another crucial point to consider when reviewing case studies are issues like analytics setup (if subdomain tracking wasn’t properly configured) timing (measuring growth during a peak season versus a slower period) and only looking at growth in the new directory without considering the old one.
All of these factors significantly impact the outcomes.
The Impact of Website Redesigns and Platform Changes
Website redesigns or platform changes introduce many variables that can skew the results.
Changes in technology speed headers URL structure etc.
are all confounding variables that muddy the waters of subdomain vs. subdirectory impact.
Yo, fellow internet denizens! Still wrestling with the subdomain vs. subdirectory debate? 🤯 This whole thing is a bigger time-suck than choosing a new streaming service. Don’t waste your precious time! Check out this breakdown to finally settle the score and get back to what really matters (like that sweet, sweet karma). 🚀
Often I see case studies where a company moves from a separate internally unlinked subdomain to an internally linked subdirectory.
Of course there will be a traffic increase! It’s not due to the simple change of location but the addition of internal links and overall better site structure.
Content Changes: The Silent Driver
Content changes dramatically affect rankings and traffic.
If you remove content that was driving traffic traffic will obviously decrease.
The change itself has nothing to do with subdomain vs. subdirectory.
It’s all about the content my friend.
The Bottom Line: Don’t Overthink It
Changes bring risks so carefully weigh the pros and cons before moving from a subdomain to a subdirectory especially if you’re doing it solely for SEO reasons. If you have a case study showing a clear increase without the additional changes I’ve mentioned please I’d love to see it. Seriously tweet it to me! I bet there’s another factor at play.
Ultimately Google has stated clearly that subdomains and subdirectories are treated similarly.
The actual location is far less important than the overall site structure internal linking and the quality of your content.
Yo, fellow internet denizens! Still wrestling with the subdomain vs. subdirectory debate? 🤯 This whole thing is a bigger time-suck than choosing a new streaming service. Don’t waste your precious time! Check out this breakdown to finally settle the score and get back to what really matters (like that sweet, sweet karma). 🚀
So focus your energy on those aspects of SEO not this seemingly insignificant technicality.
It’s just not worth the stress! You’ve got bigger fish to fry right?
