Which is better for Wordpress multisite SEO? Subdomains or subdirectories

[tishimself]

Hi,

I've always used subdomains when setting up a WordPress Multisite + Buddypress website.  But which is better for SEO?

Now I'm thinking this may not be a "one size fits all" websites decision:

Case 1: The subsite blog owners need/want/pay/ to advertise their own business using their subsite.  Subdomains are perfect because they can SEO their own site seperate from other client sites, yet reap benefits from the home buddpress site SEO.

Case 2:  The subsite blogs are for hobbyists so they are not promoting their own site with SEO, at least they don't need to.   However,  using subsites subdirectories will enhance the content and SEO for the main Buddypress site by treating them all as content of the main site.

I would appreciate hearing from those with more expertise.

Regards,

Larry

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[Matthew_Edgar]

Hi Larry,

Ah, the age old question of subdomain or subdirectory. You are right, there really isn't a one-size-fits-all answer to this question. From what I've seen, I think the subdirectory is usually a better answer for SEO but I don't think the subdomain is a horrible answer.

A subdomain is really a different site with only limited connections. It might have a different branding or a different focus than the main site. If your point is to create a really separate website, then using a subdomain makes sense. However, if it really is a separate site altogether, I'd opt for a separate domain so you can make that intention of treating these as different sites crystal clear.

If the sub-site is a part of the same site (same company, same brand, it connects to content on the rest of the site), then I would opt for the subdirectory. This makes it easier to keep all the content connected within the site and any links or social activity you get to pages in that subdirectory is more likely to help other parts of the site. So, for that reason I would opt for a subdirectory instead of a subdomain.

I hope that helps. Thanks,
Matthew