Hi, Is having many subdomains link back to your main domain a good idea? Do you count http://???.maindomain.com as a separate domain?
A good question, my friend... I was thinking abt. implementing the same thing. Many of my subdomains linking back to the same domain. But logically, I don't think it will work.... Then too, let the experts have a say.
As far as I know, subdomains are considered as separate domains by the search engines but excessive linking of subdomains to the main domain is not a good idea imo.
No it's an ugly idea. I would just have the image banner linked to your main domain. Google doesn't see a subdomain as a seperate domain. You should be fine linking to the main domain without a problem. Facebook, for example, has a subdomain for every college in the US. They aren't penalized for it. However, if your entire sidebar/navbar has different anchor text pointing to your main domain, then that's a bad idea and will pull a red flag.
I agree with Poohbear - If you only use one or two sets of anchor text when linking to your home page then that should be fine.
Why do you think that google doesn't see a subdomain as a seperate domain? Most people says that subdomains are considered as separate domains. That is very logical as for example bloggers.com sites are and must be seen as seperate sites.
Just my opinion - but I think Googs does see subdomains as separate - separate, but not quite equal, if I may use that phrase. Remember the guy last August who got billions - with a b - pages in the index and ranked high for a lot of keywords? One of his techniques that seemed to raise him above other blackhatters was his use of subdomains (created on the fly by software) for each search term that somebody looked up. All of those 'new' domains pointing back to his main one boosted his position... until he got shot down. I may be wrong about this, and my knowledge is incomplete - I'm learning just like everyone else here. But the subject is open to debate.
Who was this guy ,i didnt heard about him , and his story ! may you tell me about his website and Url.
Methinks there is some mis interpretation of 'Google Speak' here. In essence EVERY page on your site is seen as a 'separate' piece but do have value in the aggregate as well. The same is true these days with sub-domains. There as a recent laugh at ThreadWatch over a prominent News outlet selling Text Link Ads and stating PR of the 'sub-domain' pages. A big No no. Anyways, the sub Domain HAD a value due to the aggregate of the Core site Authority. Furthermore there is a correlation in Yahoo and Google with whois information as part of a flagging grading system. This also comes into play with Dupe content and creating multiple geographically diverse Class C IP issues ( can't get away with it like you used to) In the end create a sub-domain where it makes sense to do so. Create DIRECTORIES where is makes sense to do so ( yoursite.com/directory instead of directory.yoursite.com ) Just my 2c