Which URL format results in better rankings?

[beckyleigh]

We were asked this week which URL results in better search engine rankings:

www.company.com/product

or

www.product.company.com

Is there a difference? Will one result in better search rankings?

I appreciate your help.

[SanDiegoSEO]

I would assume the first would rank better overall for the site, since its in the file structure. The second option looks as if it would be seen as a new domain for each page.

[David Wallace]

The first URL adds to the original site while the second creates an entire new site in the eyes of a search engine. While sub-domains may have their purpose, better to build out a single site IMO than to create multiple sub-domains at least when it comes to creating sections for various products.