How do redirects between subdomains and root domains?

Redirects between subdomains and root domains affect search engine indexing and ranking

• Separate Indexing: Search engines treat subdomains and root domains as separate entities for indexing purposes. Redirects between them do not merge their content or authority.
  
• 301 Redirects: Implementing 301 redirects from subdomains to the root domain or vice versa helps search engines understand the relationship between the two. This ensures that ranking signals, such as PageRank or incoming links, are passed correctly across redirects.
  
• Subdomain Independence: Subdomains are indexed and ranked independently of the root domain, even with redirects in place. Their content and authority remain separate, and they may not fully inherit the root domain’s authority.
  
• Root Domain Influence: While subdomains are indexed separately, they can still benefit from the root domain’s authority through co-citation and co-linking. This means that high-authority subdomains can indirectly pass some of their authority to the root domain.
  
• Potential Issues: Redirect chains, where multiple redirects occur between an initial URL and the final destination, can negatively impact search engine crawling and indexing. This can lead to slower site loading and potential ranking penalties.
  
• Best Practices: Use 301 redirects to direct traffic and ensure search engines understand the relationship between subdomains and the root domain. Monitor your site’s indexing and ranking after implementing redirects, and address any potential issues that arise.