Better to have one subdomain or multiple subdomains?

[nicole.healthline]

We have quite a bit of content we are considering subdomaining.

There are about 13 topic centers that could deserve their own subdomain, but there are about 2000 original articles that we also want to subdomain. We are considering

a) putting the 13 centers (i.e. babies.domain.com, acne.domain.com, etc) and the 3000 articles (on a variety of topics) on one subdomain

b) putting the 13 centers on their own subdomain and the remaining 3000 articles on their own subdomain as well (14 subdomains total)

What do you think is the best solution and why?

[nicole.healthline]

We are considering experimenting with this as a Panda solution (worked for hubpages), that's why we don't want to put it in subfolders. We can't move to an entirely new domain, so are considering experimenting with subdomains.

I understand there is quite a bit of disagreement about whether subdomains work or not, but we want to try it.

The content topics are different (beauty vs asthma).

[KaneJamison]

Hi Michelle,

Without further information, you're asking us to choose between two bad solutions, so that's a choice we can't make.

What is the piece of information missing that explains why you don't want to put them in subfolders?

How different are the content topics?

If you go with (b), what content is left on the primary domain?

[nicole.healthline]

Thank you for your feedback. I agree with you, I know subfolders are better. But, if you had to choose one of the above options, what would you choose?

[EGOL]

I agree.

Zero subdomains here.

[mad2k]

Hi,

agree 100% with Kane it is also recommended by google for localizations

www.domain.com

www.domain.com/us

www.domain.com/pl

etc...

It increases domain authority and this is what everyone site owner wants

[KaneJamison]

Without knowing anything else, none of the above.

9 times out of 10 I'll recommend the use of subfolders instead.

Is the content dramatically different (babies, acne, race cars, etc.) or is there an overall purpose to the site that makes sense?

To quote myself from some other Q&A answer:

Subdomains are treated slightly differently by Google. Essentially they are seen as less connected to the rest of your content than a subfolder. So, when you get a link to one subdomain, it doesn't count as much towards the other subdomains.

Take wordpress.com as an example:

• surferdude.wordpress.com has little relation to www.wordpress.com
• surferdude.wordpress.com has little relation to skaterguy.wordpress.com
• surferdude.wordpress.com has lots in common with surferdude.wordpress.com/surfboards/***

By using subfolders, you'll retain more value across the single subdomain rather than spreading it among multiple subdomains.