I totally understand where you're coming from. It's just that Matt Cutts saying something isn't evidence either. We all know the way he likes to dance around issues, keep things obscure, and rarely ever truly answer a question directly. But hey, I'm not so stuck on my position that I'm not open to counter evidence; I'm even willing to admit the possibility of there truly being no difference. All I know is I'd never do my company's blog that way unless we became super-well-known and had a DA of 90 or more. (Then I wouldn't either, because why change the URL of such an established blog!)

Here's the real question: if you acquire inbound links to blog.domain.com do those links add to the DA of domain.com or only blog.domain.com? Answer that and you've answered the question.

Even in the first article you posted, Matt Cutts says that blog. works for very large, established websites, but for everyone else, I got the vibe from him that he was leaning more toward /blog

My belief is that they are not the same at all. With /blog, Domain Authority and Page Rank are being passed on. With blog. you're starting from scratch.

It's generally agreed that a best practice in this regard is to use target="_blank" any time you are linking out to a different website. You should keep your internal links within the same window or tab unless you are linking to a part of your site that's totally unrelated or if you really don't want the user to leave the page they're on.

Additionally, if you are not using target="_blank" make sure all of your pages have clear, easily-understandable navigation, especially when it comes to linking back to your main page.

Thanks, everyone, for your responses. My gut was telling me to keep it in tact. Thanks for confirming it.

Most of my blog posts end up being 400-600 words, sometimes more, sometimes less. I have written one that is 2,500 words this time. If it were you, would you make one huge post, or split it into two or three? Or would you say it wholly depends on my site and the type of content?

As far as link bait goes, one page is better . . . I guess. But would anyone ever read a 2,500 word blog post, even it it's about a subject he/she is interested in? Additionally, what's better for SEO?

Just wants some second opinions. Thanks!