Using Keyword as Sub-Domain?

Does it help

[glenv]

Has anyone done any research to show if using a subdomain with your keyword improves search performance?

i.e. :

primary url: www.sports.com
subdomain w/ key word : bicycles.sports.com

[vitaplease]

Only in that people may use the keyword in the linking text or surrounding text.

Same story as with keyword-rich-hyphenated urls.

[heini]

Exactly, Vitaplease.
The question of wether the subdomain approach makes sense for a site or not isa fundamental decision to take. In the Link Development forum many discussions have benn centered around this question. Using subdomains with a good plan can be a highly successfull strategy.
Glenv, I would recommend doing some research in this forum, it's really worth it.

[paynt]

Glenv I would be very careful with developing a strategy using subdomain/canonicals [run a search for each and read up] because there are more issues to consider than the use of keywords. A strategy that involves subdomain/canonicals simply to promote keywords may be risky and difficult to support without a great deal of preparation and planning. I’m not discouraging you from utilizing subdomain/canonicals in your strategy particularly if you have the ability to create fresh and relevant content to maximize on your efforts, I’m only suggesting you follow heini’s advice and study up. Come back with new discussions as you need them.

[glenv]

thank you all...

[glenv]

My approach was this:

My primary domain revolves around my site that lists several banks that loan to people looking to refinance their home. My hope is since I know at least 2 or 3 of the lending firms I promote are very popular, if it would help to actually use them as a subdomain since people search for their name specifically. Of course permission would need to be received to use their name first...