24 replies to this topic

[qwerty]

I'd be sure to check those directories fairly carefully, whether they're recommended in that thread or not. The older the thread is, the less likely it is that the information is still accurate. It's very common for a new directory to start out free and then change that policy. It may also get sold to someone who completely changes the way they run the directory.

I have a pretty long list of directories I've gathered over the past few years, and in the last year I've probably removed more entries than I've added.

[Jill]

I've gathered over the past few years, and in the last year I've probably removed more entries than I've added.

That doesn't surprise me as so many people just created directories to get on the bandwagon, thinking they could cash in on the link popularity boom.

Thankfully, the search engines have apparently caught on a bit and really aren't counting the same old same old directory links much.

[roxyyo]

Is there a way to know which directories are worthwhile to submitting to and which aren't?  Are there any directories that if you get a link from their site it will hurt your site more than help it?

When in doubt, you can quickly check a directory's quality by rolling your mouse over one of it's directory listings. See the browser bar at the bottom left hand corner? If it gives you a string of code like
www.directorydomain.net/links.php?ax=out&id=2209] for example.

That's a sure sign the directory uses redirects, and this will not count as a backlink. Some directories will offer free listings and use redirects as not to dilute their own page rank, and use real links for the higher ranking sites, or charge you for a real link (one that shows your URL exactly as is).

[roxyyo]

Oh, HA HA! I just got the joke of the HR rank under our profiles...that's clever. If I link to Jill will my HR improve?

[qwerty]

Don't do anything to try to increase your HR level. I've seen quite a few members get dropped to HR0 for trying to trick the admins If you think Google's tough, you ain't seen nothing yet

When in doubt, you can quickly check a directory's quality by rolling your mouse over one of it's directory listings. See the browser bar at the bottom left hand corner? If it gives you a string of code like
www.directorydomain.net/links.php?ax=out&id=2209] for example.

That's a sure sign the directory uses redirects, and this will not count as a backlink. Some directories will offer free listings and use redirects as not to dilute their own page rank, and use real links for the higher ranking sites, or charge you for a real link (one that shows your URL exactly as is).

That depends on a couple of considerations: Having a link "count" in the search engines isn't necessarily the only benefit of the link. If it's going to send you decent traffic (I know, it's rare, but it happens) then the link is worthwhile whether G Y and M care about it or not.

Also, if you want to make sure they're not using a script for their outbound links, you may need to check more than the status bar. In the same script code that runs the link, they can also put instructions as to what to show in the status bar. Because of that, they may link to you with the code quoted above, but you'll see your regular URL in the status bar when you mouse over the link. The sneaks...

[roxyyo]

Grr!

There are just too many free directories out there, and I don't think they send much traffic if at all. Who's using these www.addmysitefreedime-a-dozen-new-directory.scam to search when they've got Google?

[Jill]

Nobody is.

[qwerty]

Nobody's using those, but there are the directories that actually have editors checking up on sites before they'll list them, and within that group you've also got the niche directories. There are people out there who've seen enough spam in SERPs that they'd rather search, at least under certain circumstances, in places where they trust they're not going to get garbage results.

[Randy]

umm... I think you just answered your own question roxyyo.

Other than the occasional industry/niche specific directories I can count on one hand the number of directories I might submit my sites to. There are just better ways to spend my time.

[Scottie]

True niche directories are actually very valuable resources for specific industries. Directories that add anyone and everyone will probably never amount to much without some other reason for existing...