<b>Q: Should my topic cluster live in a subfolder or a subdomain?</b>

<b>Q: Should my topic cluster live in a subfolder or a subdomain?</b>

Short answer: subfolder, almost always, for topical authority. Engines treat a subdomain as a partially separate site, so authority and topic signals don't flow between it and your main domain as freely.

A cluster's strength comes from concentrating related content and internal links in one connected structure. Splitting it onto blog.yoursite.com fragments that signal and forces the cluster to build trust from a weaker base.

In practice:
— Put clusters under a clear path like /topic/ with cluster articles at /topic/subtopic/.
— Reserve subdomains for genuinely distinct properties (app., docs., shop.) where mixing would confuse intent.
— If you're already on a subdomain and it's working, don't migrate impulsively, the move carries risk; weigh it carefully.

Weighing a structure decision? Send the details.