When creating a sub-domain, does that sub-domain automatically start with the DA of the main domain?

[Saba.Elahi.M.]

We have a website with a high DA and we are considering sub-folder or sub-domain. One of the great benefits of a sub-folder is that we know we get to keep the high DA, is this also the case for sub-domains?

Also if you could provide any sources of information that specify this, I can't see to find anything!

[ZenboundSEO]

I would go with a sub-folder if passing DA is your goal. As far as I understand it, DA is not considered by Moz for sub-domains. Here is a similar post on the same topic. I hope it helps.

https://a-moz.groupbuyseo.org/community/q/is-moz-da-inherited-from-tld-for-all-subdomains-on-the-tld https://a-moz.groupbuyseo.org/community/q/is-there-a-way-to-get-the-domain-authority-of-a-subdomain

[KevinBudzynski]

**Also, although I would also be curious to know if a subdomain inherits DA from the main domain, it probably doesn't need to be a part of the decision making process for choosing between subdomain and subfolder.  **

I know that the sub & parent share the same DA. I was under the impression that one doesn't necessarily inherit the other DA, just an accumulation of the "strength" calculated by Moz of the domain shared between the parent & subs.

[Nozzle]

I agree with EGOL, if you have the choice, use subfolders instead of subdomains.

I know sometimes, there are development reasons why a company decides to move forward with subdomains. And those can rank just fine too. It's just best to let decision makers know that the SEO department is voting for subfolders.

Also, although I would also be curious to know if a subdomain inherits DA from the main domain, it probably doesn't need to be a part of the decision making process for choosing between subdomain and subfolder.  As EGOL said, "ranking ability and DA are different things", so the DA passed through or not passed through to a subdomain will not be the reason for ranking well or not in Google.

[EGOL]

In the question between a subfolder and a subdomain...  it is clear and it is murky...

Search engines say things and often do the things that they say.  They also do things without sayin' that they did them and you are left to figure out what happened or how things work on your own.

If you have been running websites for a long time (24 years here), you might know that Google and other search engines have treated subdomains and folders differently,  identically and murkily.   It depends upon what year and month you are talking about.

**The constant is that subfolders have always inherited ranking ability from their parent domain, and will likely do that into the future.  **

So, if you want assurance into the future, using a subfolder is your best bet.

Looking at DA... it is irrelevant in the subdomain and subfolder discussion.  DA is a moz number that kinda correlates with search engine rankings, but just part of the time.   Ranking ability and DA are different things.