Using SubDomains

If your primary domain has been QS penalized

[vphoner]

When I spoke with google, they suggested I put an updated site on a new domain (but were not sure about subdomains). They said I could get back in action much faster than updating my current site. Currently my whole site is penalized as a whole. Thats the way it works. (They penalize by site, not page).

I don't have the time to update everything, so I thought I would break out each area of the site to a separate subdomain and update the pages to hopefully meet the new QS. Is this going to work? Or are subdomains considered part of the site and will get the same QS of the parent site that the subdomain is based on? I certainly don't want to have to get new domains just to test out my revised sites. I am hoping that subdomains will suffice.

Anyone?

[Quadrille]

Using a bunch of subdomains is no different (to google) than creating a bunch of separate sites.

If you are not confident that you've 'cleaned up' effectively, that might be sensible; the unclean bits will not damage the clean bits.

But having a bunch of sites means multiple marketing, diluted links, difficult getting into directories, reader confusion ... not a 'first choice' solution.

[vphoner]

Ok, then I will experiment with a subdomain, to start fresh and test out different scenarios with google. when I find one that works I will switch the main site. Right now if I try to add a new optimized for QS page to google, its still penalized by the whole site being penalized. By going with a subdomain, I can breakout one campaign and get that right and make sure I have a "formula" that will be acceptable to this confusing QS score issue.

Google itself told me to start with a new domain to speed up the process. Since a new domain has a fresh record. And from what you told me, a subdomain should operate the same way...I.E. not penalized by the main domain. Is that correct?

[Quadrille]

Yes, provided the two do not interlink.

If your problems have related to linking in any way shape or form, then there is always a chance that your main domain is in a 'bad neighborhood' - any site interlinking is at risk of being infected and penalized in the same way.

If Google are suggesting moving the content to a new domain, then it's pretty likely that links are all or part of the problem. A new domain may be a better solution than a subdomain - which may confuse visitors in the absence of the main domain (you don't want constant emails saying "Ere, where's the main site, mate?")

Good Luck.

[vphoner]

My main site was an affiliate site. The googlers that reviewed it told me to add content, etc. This is easier said than done. Is it good to php the affiliate links? Suppose I were to make changes and add the content sitewide....how long does it take till a googlebot can re-evaluate?

One plan I had was to have a content rich landing page with no affiliate links, but to link to pages that had the affiate links (in php). And to include the about us, contact us, privacy links to the main page. The reason for wanting to subdomain was to test this idea to see if it flys, on a small part of the site, then roll it out if it does. You see there is a possibility that conversion could be much lower if I try and please google. So want to test this out too.

[Quadrille]

I'm not quite sure what you are asking, and I'm no expert in either affiliation or PHP.

But I agree that affilaite sites need to have as much extra, unique content as possible; you only chanv=ce of any success is to rise above the other 5000 sites in terms of quality - and SEs define quality very largely in terms of unique content.

So to that extent, go for it. As for the rest ... I dunno :)