SubDomains and Webmaster Tools and Analytics
Last night I saw someone give incorrect information in chat. I know - not all that unusual and I have done it myself although not intentionally. This person probably didn't do it intentionally either.
But rather than get in an argument, I though I'd do my due diligence and research, then inform - in case anyone else has this mis-information.
The statement that was made is that when you use a subdomain - such as siterubix - then you don't have access to Google Webmaster Tools, etc. Which I took to include analytics as well.
I have subdomains which have WMT and GA but I hadn't tried with siterubix - so I added mine this morning without any issues.
As shown in the images below - Siterubix CAN be added to your Analytics and Search Console (WMT).
The other information given in this conversation I observed was mostly correct.
It IS better to have your own domain rather than a subdomain.
However, I did not want any new members getting discouraged by such negativity. I remember when I first started at WA - over 2 years ago :)
It was all I could do to pay for my membership at WA and it wasn't until about 3 months in that I was finally able to buy my own domain.
Subdomains can rank.
But instead of reading what I have to say lol -
Here is what Google's Matt Cutts has to say on the subject:
https://www.mattcutts.com/blog/subdomains-and-subd...
Here is what Rand Fishkin from SEOMoz has to say:
"All the testing, research and examples I've seen in the past few years (and even the past few months) strongly suggest that the same principles still hold true.
Subdomains SOMETIMES inherit and pass link/trust/quality/ranking metrics between one another
Subfolders ALWAYS inherit and pass link/trust/quality/ranking metrics across the same subdomain
Thus, having a single subdomain (even just domainname.tld with no subdomain extension) with all of your content is absolutely ideal from an SEO perspective. It's also more usable and brandable, too IMO."
from a forum post here:
https://moz.com/community/q/subdomains-vs-subfolde...
My main point here is really -
****** DO YOUR OWN DUE DILIGENCE ******
You shouldn't always take someone's word as gospel - even mine. Do your own research and learn for yourself. After all - this is your business and you are the only one affected by your decisions.
Eddy with a Y said it well here:
https://my.wealthyaffiliate.com/eddysalomon/blog/w...
Have a great day! Back to work now ;)
Recent Comments
17
Thanks for this interesting post Angela. I am someone who believes in the value of due diligence too. It can be time consuming (sometimes ridiculously so for me) but can help avoid costly mistakes. I know I dodged a bullet or two from checking things out.
Erica
Thanks Erica :) yes it can be time consuming but as I said - we are the ones who have to deal with the consequences of our choices (good and bad) so it pays to do a bit of research.
DUE DILIGENCE indeed! Thank you. I also had success with siterubix in google and bing. Still learning but good at following directions. LOL
Thanks for sharing Patricia :) Yes, they can rank - I think it's more important what is on the site.
Thanks for this post, Angela.
I think even from a rational perspective, without knowing the exact yes and no's, it would not make sense for Google to ignore a site in this way, if it's producing authority material and engagement, just because it's in a lesser domain class.....
Great share!
Thanks Therese :) I agree. It didn't sit well with me when I saw it mentioned in chat but I wanted to check my facts first before telling someone they were wrong.
Couldn't agree with you more, Angela. Due diligence is a concept critical to my particular niche: real estate investing. But it applies to many different scenarios too.
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The information is valuable.The nice part i liked
"Subdomains can rank.
But instead of reading what I have to say lol -
Here is what Google's Matt Cutts has to say on the subject:Thank you.
Anyways enjoyed reading.Thank you for article.