Folder or file name better for ranks?

[augathra]

Hello. If I have a folder named "jimmydean" and a file "jimmydean", which would rank better, if either?

1) http://www.example.com/jimmydean/
2) http://www.example.com/jimmydean.php

Thanks

[stymiee]

Not sure if anyone has any hard data on this so if someone tells you it is one or the other makes ure they give you something to back that up. But I think you'll find that most will recommend the folder so you don't have to change your filename if you change technologies and it is easier for users to type in.

[fatnewt]

I'd say folder, for stymiee's reasons, and for another very picky one.

If the URL appears in anchor text, the link text for the folder one would be:

www example com keyword

and for the keyword one:

www example com keyword php

The first one has a higher keyword density. But that's being very picky and I doubt it would make any significant difference. If you have an existing structure, don't change it - it wouldn't be worth it.

[augathra]

I am just building it, so I'll go with the folders then.

Thank you for your input!

[someonewhois]

Plus the w3 reccomends not using extensions.

[augathra]

One more thing on this.

Which should I use?
1) /folder/index.php
2) /folder/
3) /folder

The #3 would just forward to 2, but I don't know if it would make a difference.

[michelangelo]

Also, hyphenating is probably better, just in case the search engine is unable to 'parse' the string 'jimmydean' so /jimmy-dean/

[fatnewt]

One more thing on this.

Which should I use?
1) /folder/index.php
2) /folder/
3) /folder

The #3 would just forward to 2, but I don't know if it would make a difference.

#2 vs #3 doesn't really matter. I'd stick with either of those... if you change technologies, you'll have to update several references to the files and lose the rankings. Plus, example.com/folder is easier to remember than having a pointless filename.

Most importantly, though, is that you're consistent. If you link to the folder, always link to the folder.