Domain optimization: Subdomains versus Subdirectories

search engine preferences

[richone]

I have to choose between building my site with subdomains or subdirectories - the site is travel related so it could go:

Subdirectories: http://www.example.com/barcelona
OR
Subdomains: [barcelona.example.com...]

Any idea what search engine prefer? if they have a preference at all? I cannot find info about this topic.

What about the links pages? will they count for the entire site or just for the main directory?

thanks -

[edited by: Webwork at 3:12 pm (utc) on Nov. 8, 2005]
[edit reason] Please use Example.com instead of actual urls [/edit]

[Webwork]

Hi richone and welcome to the Domain Forum.

This issue has been around for a long time. There is no definitive answer that says one version is superior to another.

For awhile subdomains had some utility as a way of building an "aged website" to deal with search engine sandbox issues. However, by the time such knowledge becomes public, any SE algo/filter builder worth her pay is on top of the issue.

Please take a minute to read the Domain Forum's Charter. We prefer you use Example.com instead of domains that hotlink to actual webpages. Thanks.