What are the primary considerations when determining whether to use a subdomain versus a subdirectory for a blog?

When deciding between a subdomain (e.g., blog.example.com) and a subdirectory (e.g., example.com/blog) for a blog, the primary considerations are website structure, brand identity, technical implementation, and SEO implications. Subdirectories are generally recommended for most businesses. Subdirectories benefit from the main domain's authority. New content benefits from the existing brand recognition. It's simpler to implement and manage from a technical perspective. A subdomain can be useful when the blog targets a very different audience or language, operating relatively independently from the core website. It requires more technical effort to set up and maintain, including separate tracking and security configurations. Subdomains are sometimes used when migrating a blog to a different platform with different technical requirements. For SEO, Google treats subdirectories as part of the main domain. Authority gained on the main domain typically flows to the subdirectory, helping the blog content rank faster. Subdomains, while still associated with the main domain, can be treated as separate entities, potentially requiring more effort to build authority and rankings. Therefore, if the blog is closely related to the core business and targets the same audience, a subdirectory is generally the preferred option. If the blog is a separate entity with a distinct focus, a subdomain may be appropriate, but it requires careful planning and execution to ensure optimal SEO performance.