GoDaddy subdomain forwarding automatically redirects visitors from a subdomain (like blog.yoursite.com) to another URL (like yoursite.com/blog). This tool helps manage multiple site sections under one primary domain.
When someone visits your subdomain, GoDaddy's servers instantly redirect them to your chosen destination URL. This happens at the DNS level, meaning visitors never see the original subdomain URL in their browser.
| Type | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Permanent (301) | Search engines treat this as a permanent move, passing SEO value to the new URL | blog.yoursite.com → yoursite.com/blog |
| Temporary (302) | Used for short-term redirects without SEO implications | test.yoursite.com → beta.yoursite.com |
| Masked | Hides the destination URL while displaying the subdomain | shop.yoursite.com (shows shop.yoursite.com but loads yoursite.com/shop) |
Subdomain forwarding helps organize different parts of your website without creating separate domains. For example:
Many people confuse subdomain forwarding with URL masking or domain parking. Unlike masking, forwarding doesn't hide the destination URL (unless using masked forwarding). Domain parking simply displays a placeholder page, while forwarding actively redirects visitors.
Another common mistake is assuming subdomain forwarding affects SEO negatively. Permanent (301) redirects actually pass SEO value to the new URL, making them useful for site restructuring.
To create a subdomain forward in GoDaddy:
I've used this method to consolidate multiple microsites under one domain, improving both user experience and SEO performance.