Sub-domain Myth

[NavySeals]

I feel a tad bit silly asking this, considering I've been involved in SEO since the mid-late 90's, but an SEO I'm friendly with swears that this works wonders. If it does, fantastic, then everyone gets introduced to another way to get great inbound links, if not, then the myth is busted and he'll owe me a case of beer.

The myth: Create multiple (he says 50 or so) subdomains on your original domain, and fill them with rich and relevant content (articles, stories, whatever). Then proceed to link back to the original domain - so blah.retard.com would have an anchor text link back to www.blah.com. Thus creating a non-reciprocal inbound only link. This is what he says as a form to get only inbound links without having to link back to make your site seem more important.

True or False? Try to give an explanation or link to an article that proves so, if possible.

I'm still debating it, because it seems kind of spammy. Even if it were true, you would have to create a lot of regular sites, get the PR up, and then I guess "sub-domain spam" (create lots of content) and then link back again... I dunno, seems kind of weird to me, but I'd prefer a new inbound-only linking method over a free case of beer!

[UnXpected]

Unless the subdomain is hosted on different server/ip .

[dilligaf]

The incoming links from the subdomains would have to have some link strength of their own, and if it wasn't coming from the domain it seems that each would require recips or purchased in order to really matter.

IMO better to drop those directly on the domain.

[jlknauff]

Subs can be usefull but not like that. First of all, how will an engine find all of those subs? You're going to have to build IBLs to them in order for the to even be crawled by the engines-otherwise the links will never show. Dilligaf made a good point saying that you should focus your efforts on developing links to your main domain. IMO, if you want to use subdomains, use them for your links section. Build up some content before you really push it though, otherwise it will look like a farm.

[NavySeals]

So it's safe to say that I'm going to be getting some free beer?

[US Netizen]

I have a fairly new site with 50 subdomains. Each subdomain is a single page with content and links back to the www domain. Since it is new, all subdomain pages are PR0 and the index www page is PR1.

All of the pages are indexed and show up in the SERPs for MSN, Yahoo, etc., but not Google. At this point I don't have enough BLs to get decent PR, but I'm going to let the site age for a while and see what happens.

My point is that I am working on it, but it's too soon to see if it works.

[NavySeals]

Sounds cool, keep us posted.

[Carlos Chacón]

Sub domains help to improve the "background" of any site, especially if they are link it at the main (home) page.
I redesign my web site and the PR0 still showing up in the new -sub pages...that means that it will take time to index the sub pages into the Google boot machine.

I suggest to use sub domains with related information -NO the same one of the index- to make a web site very strong and SEO friendly.

[seo guy]

When to use a subdomain: When the content in that particular subject strays so far from your main theme it "almost" demands its own site.

When not to use a subdomain: any other time pretty much (Including to artificially inflate your link popularity

Now it is a not a myth however, the subdomain will be given credit as a backlink the same way setting up 50 free hosting netfirms websites would that would then link back to you, or 50 blogs you spam, or 50 forums you post in the point being, are these links relevant? Maybe.. Do they carry any PR (Pretty much never) are they considered authorities on your subject? NEVER!!! So really why waste your time? A scheme is a scheme and will be seen as one. Besides if you go creating subdomains and effect serious content on each that is content that is wasted because it could have been on your main site and contributed to your domains overall page reputation. You completely miss out on the amazon effect. think of it this way 50 subs (If your really tried to make each one legit) divides your effort by 50. Telly your friend I will call him from the first page and buy him beer with all the $ I am making by having my content on MY domain and not a sub. Notice this place isnt forum.seo-guy.com ever wonder why?

[seo guy]

Oh btw in case that was long winded Carlos Chacon I completely dissagree with you ;)

[jlknauff]

I've found that the best use for subs is for tracking your advertising. Not to build your own BLs. Besides, what traffic will your own sub domains ever deliver to you? BLs from other sites can deliver traffic to you-your subs will never.

[Carlos Chacón]

Seo guy is right.

I misunderstood the question, I thought that they were talking about subpages (internal pages), not subdomains.
Sorry about that.
:o