Subdomain Vs Subdirectory for Multilingual Seo Expanding a website to serve multiple languages and regions requires careful planning, especially when structuring URLs for multilingual SEO. A critical decision businesses face is choosing between a subdomain vs subdirectory for multilingual SEO. This choice impacts search engine rankings, user experience, and domain authority.
While both methods have been successfully used by global websites, each has unique advantages and drawbacks. This article explores the subdomain vs subdirectory for multilingual SEO debate, detailing how each approach affects visibility in search engines and helping businesses determine the best solution for their multilingual content strategy.
Understanding Subdomains and Subdirectories
Before evaluating their SEO impact, it’s important to understand what subdomains and subdirectories are and how they function.
What Is a Subdomain?
A subdomain is a separate part of a website that operates under the main domain but is treated as a distinct entity by search engines. It appears before the main domain in the URL structure.
Example of a Subdomain:
fr.example.com– A French version of the websitees.example.com– A Spanish version of the website
Key Features of a Subdomain:
- Acts as an independent site within the main domain
- Can have different content, design, and SEO strategies
- Search engines recognize it as a separate entity
What Is a Subdirectory?
A subdirectory (also known as a subfolder) is a section within the main domain that houses content in a different language. It keeps all website content under a single domain.
Example of a Subdirectory:
example.com/fr/– A French version of the websiteexample.com/es/– A Spanish version of the website
Key Features of a Subdirectory:
- Keeps all content under the main domain
- Benefits from the main site’s authority and backlinks
- Easier to manage SEO and content strategy
Now that we understand how subdomains and subdirectories function, let’s explore their SEO impact.
SEO Impact of Subdomains
Using a subdomain for multilingual SEO can be beneficial in some cases but also presents challenges.
Advantages of Subdomains:
Better Content Separation – If a company operates in different countries with separate marketing teams, subdomains allow each team to manage content independently.
Localized SEO Strategies – Businesses targeting country-specific audiences (e.g., de.example.com for Germany) can create custom content tailored to local users.
Better for Regional Search Engines – Some search engines, like Baidu (China) and Yandex (Russia), prefer localized subdomains for ranking region-specific content.
Disadvantages of Subdomains:
Divided Authority – Since search engines treat subdomains as separate sites, each subdomain must build its own domain authority. This means backlinks pointing to the main domain do not benefit subdomains.
Increased SEO Effort – Managing SEO for multiple subdomains requires additional resources, as each subdomain needs unique keyword strategies, backlinks, and content optimization.
Slower Indexing – Google takes longer to recognize subdomains as part of the main website, leading to potential delays in search rankings.
SEO Impact of Subdirectories
A subdirectory for multilingual SEO is often recommended due to its simplicity and strong SEO benefits.
Advantages of Subdirectories:
Stronger Domain Authority – Subdirectories benefit from the existing backlinks and domain authority of the main website, leading to better search rankings.
Easier SEO Management – Since all content is under a single domain, SEO efforts such as keyword optimization, backlinks, and site audits are consolidated.
Faster Indexing and Ranking – Search engines recognize subdirectories as part of the main website, ensuring quicker indexing and ranking improvements.
Disadvantages of Subdirectories:
Potential Content Overlap – Without proper hreflang tags, Google may struggle to differentiate between language versions, leading to duplicate content issues.
Complex Site Structure – Managing multiple language versions within a single domain can make navigation and organization more challenging.
Google’s Perspective on Subdomains vs. Subdirectories
Google has clarified that both subdomains and subdirectories can work well for multilingual SEO. However, subdirectories often have a slight advantage because they consolidate domain authority and SEO efforts under one main website.
The key to success, regardless of the structure chosen, is proper hreflang tag implementation. Hreflang tags tell search engines which language version to display to users based on their location and language preference.
When to Use a Subdomain for Multilingual SEO?
A subdomain is the better choice if:
- Your business has separate teams managing content for different regions.
- You want complete independence for different language versions.
- You need to target country-specific search engines (e.g., Yandex, Baidu).
Examples of Websites Using Subdomains:
- Wikipedia (
es.wikipedia.orgfor Spanish content) - Amazon (
de.amazon.comfor Germany)
When to Use a Subdirectory for Multilingual SEO?
A subdirectory is ideal if:
- You want to maximize domain authority and backlinks.
- You prefer a cost-effective and easy-to-manage SEO strategy.
- Your goal is faster indexing and better search rankings.
Examples of Websites Using Subdirectories:
- Apple (
apple.com/fr/for French content) - LinkedIn (
linkedin.com/in/for international profiles)
Best Practices for Multilingual SEO
Regardless of whether you choose a subdomain vs subdirectory for multilingual SEO, follow these best practices to ensure success:
1. Use Hreflang Tags
Hreflang tags help Google understand which language version to serve to users.
Example:
<link rel="alternate" hreflang="es" href="https://example.com/es/" />
<link rel="alternate" hreflang="fr" href="https://example.com/fr/" />
2. Optimize URL Structure
Use clear and user-friendly URLs, such as:
example.com/fr/(for French content)fr.example.com(for a French subdomain)
3. Localize Content Properly
Avoid simple translations—adapt content to cultural preferences, currencies, and local SEO trends.
4. Monitor Performance with Google Search Console
Track how different language versions perform in search results and make necessary adjustments.
5. Ensure Fast Loading Speeds
Optimize images, scripts, and hosting for global users to maintain fast website performance.
FAQs
Do subdomains affect overall SEO performance?
Yes, subdomains build their own authority, impacting the overall site performance if not managed well.
How do I use hreflang tags?
Place hreflang tags in the header, specifying the language and country code to guide search engines.
Is there a cost difference between subdomains and subdirectories?
Subdomains may require more resources, while subdirectories are generally more cost-effective due to easier management.
What are the downsides of using subdirectories?
Without proper hreflang tags, subdirectories may cause content overlap, risking duplicate content penalties and affecting user experience.
Conclusion
The choice between a subdomain vs subdirectory for multilingual SEO depends on your business needs and SEO goals.
- Subdomains offer better content separation and independence but require more SEO effort.
- Subdirectories consolidate SEO strength under one domain, making them easier to manage.
For most businesses, subdirectories are the better choice for multilingual SEO due to their SEO advantages and ease of management. However, Web Dev Expert suggests that for region-specific targeting or independent site management, subdomains may be the right fit.
Subdomain Vs Subdirectory for Multilingual Seo By following multilingual SEO best practices, businesses can enhance their global reach and improve search visibility across different languages and regions.
