What's the best approach to transfer link juice from a separate sub-domain?

[9Studios]

This post is deleted!

[AlanBleiweiss]

Hi Chris

Yes, the best solution would be 301 redirects.  The key to success is taking the time to properly identify the most related content from site to site, so the 301s are laser targeting the correct content.  In those situations where there is no one-to-one page relationship from a unique topical focus perspective, the next best scenario is pointing each page at the next highest level page in the new structure that best matches it's topical focus.

The primary reason is you want to communicate to search engines not only that "this page has permanently moved", but for long term value, to then communicate "see - even though the page has moved, we've retained the topical focus of that original page".  That ensures the best likelihood that the ranking signals each old page obtained should still be retained, even though you've moved content.

[9Studios]

Hi, thanks for getting back!  So would the currently well-ranked (but unnecessary) old support page lose link juice, and thus push less link juice to the other page over the course of several months?  Or will it be a perfect transfer?

[AlanBleiweiss]

best info across the industry is that there's some loss of value in the transfer overall.  Also, just because a 301 takes place does not mean it will remain - Google will want to get additional confirmation over time that it's still as relevant as it had been before the 301.