Definition
URL structure for an international site directly impacts SEO. Subfolders (example.com/fr/) inherit the main domain's authority and are easiest to maintain. Subdomains (fr.example.com) are treated as separate sites by Google, offering more independence but requiring building authority separately. ccTLDs (example.fr) send the strongest geographic signal and offer the best local trust, but each domain starts from zero in authority. The general recommendation is subfolders for most sites, ccTLDs for brands with strong local presence, and subdomains when technical independence is necessary.
Key Points
- Subfolders are recommended for most sites (authority inheritance)
- ccTLDs offer the best geographic signal but no authority inheritance
- Subdomains are rarely recommended except for specific technical needs
Practical Examples
ccTLD to subfolder migration
A company with 12 ccTLDs consolidates everything under example.com/fr/, /de/, /es/. After 6 months, the single domain's cumulative authority surpasses the sum of the old ccTLDs in total organic traffic.
Hybrid strategy
A group uses ccTLDs for its 3 main markets (example.fr, example.de, example.co.uk) and subfolders (example.com/es/, example.com/it/) for secondary markets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, to a large extent. Subdomains have their own authority, link profile, and appear separately in Search Console. This is why subfolders are generally preferred.
Yes, but it's a complex SEO migration. Expect massive 301 redirects, hreflang updates, and a temporary traffic drop of 3 to 6 months.
Go Further with LemmiLink
Discover how LemmiLink can help you put these SEO concepts into practice.
Last updated: 2026-02-07