Where can I install a blog (not on the domain I'm optimising) which will help my search rankings?

[featherseo]

I've got my hands tied, and I cannot install a blog like Wordpress on the domain I'm optimising.

My question is, where then, would the next best place be? I've heard stories about subdomains being completely useless for affecting SEO of the root domain, and so anything external would probably have the same effect, correct?

Would love to hear what some of you do in these situations.

Cheers!

[AndieF]

Yeah so if it's not on the same domain, you wont be directly optimising your main website. A subdomain is considered a new site / domain in itself.

However, if you make a really popular blog with great content, linking through to your main site where possible you may see a jump. A risk is your blog may become the stronger of the two websites and out-rank it, so perhaps consider having a different 'brand' for the blog?

[mihaiaperghis]

A subdomain isn't always considered a new site / domain in itself. In fact, other than blog platforms or websites that offer ugc subdomains, most subdomains seem to be closely correlated with the main domain by Google.

There are many examples including the main domain taking a penalty, bringing all the subdomains down with it, or vice-versa. Or you can just search 'bodybuilding', and see how Google integrates subdomains into sitelinks, which is a clear sign that Google sees those subdomains as part of the same entity as the domain itself.

Of course, to be safe, you should always try to opt for a folder option instead of a subdomain, since, as Rand put it:

"Subdomains SOMETIMES inherit and pass link/trust/quality/ranking metrics between one another

Subfolders ALWAYS inherit and pass link/trust/quality/ranking metrics across the same subdomain"

If you have no option as setting it as a subfolder, the next best option is indeed a subdomain. A root domain is the worst option of the three.