Future Of Web Directories Options

[arambi]

Given that search engines are getting smarter day by day , what are your views on - "The days of web directories are numbered " ?

My personal opion is that , this is not the case , yet i would like to hear from more experienced people like you (IMG:http://www.highrankings.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Randy]

Good, human edited directories will always have some value IMO.

There's only so much a computer can do in trying to make Value judgements. So until they get smarter then people, those directories that go out of their way to only list quality sites will have a certain inflated value when compared to other sites. For both human visitors and spiders.

[OldWelshGuy]

I see the traditional style of directory falling by the wayside as time goes on. By traditional, I mean where you get a list of sites, a title, small amount of text, and then a link to the site.

I do however see the portal style directory booming, where the link from the list returned takes you to a page of its own for each site in the directory. this then has all the contact details and weblink etc on that page. This type of directory is IMO the nextgen, and will spring up all over the place packed with niche information, niche either by topic or geographic.

[Randy]

I agree completely OWG.

The directories that try to be all-inclusive are probably headed down a dead end street. Niche/market specific directories that offer good content and have high standards for acceptance look to be the best by far going forward.

Which makes a lot of sense to me, I might add.

[Jill]

I think the only worthwhile directories in the future will be niche directories.

[Debra]

you to a page of its own for each site in the directory. this then has all the contact details and weblink etc on that page.

While I like niche Directories, I don't like the "page of their own" type of Directories and don't submit to them; I find no value in reading those extra-step pages and don't like the fact there is another page between me and my link pop! (IMG:http://www.highrankings.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

I think for as long as Google uses visual Pagerank, there will be general Directories. If that goes so will their ability to sell link space since that's one of the primary reasons a lot of them exist to begin with.

The Directories that remain will do so for the love of the Internet. I know a couple of Directory owners who are passionate about the 'Net and want to give "back" by hosting Directories. More power to them cuz it's a huge amount of time, money and energy to keep up a decent Directory.

[Alarr]

I think the only worthwhile directories in the future will be niche directories.

I agree. I'm still trying to find something I disagree with you on.

[clueless]

I hope niche directories are the wave of the future; I am building a portal style niche directory. But I have a concern implied by the discussion here:

At what point do directories become doorways? As we move toward niche directories with profiles and content and text dedicated to each member - aren't those almost textbook doorway pages? Pages created on a separate domain dedicated specifically to driving traffic to the original site. This is, by no means, my intention. I think there is real and legitimate value in a quality niche directory as a functional gatekeeper that provides real content, real quality and real resources. But from a strictly technical perspective, these are doorway pages. And I am the throw away domain. We run a lot of high quality and unique content - but that doesn't change the underlying problem from the SE standpoint even though it works to the benefit of the users. Am I getting worked up about nonsense?

[qwerty]

I'm not sure what you're getting worked up about. In what way is a directory a collection of doorway pages, whether it's a niche directory or a general one?

[Randy]

I honestly wouldn't mind seeing directories move towards an About.com model. Sort of a combination of blog and directory. Where there are links and content that are focused around different niches.

[lyn]

At what point do directories become doorways?

For the sake of the discussion, I'd look at the point that the directories stop adding value to the kw phrases or listings. Simply by organizing the links in a manner that helps searchers find what they need, directories give the links a context that adds value to the titles or phrases on the page. Same as SERPs, really -- just "pre-searched." I tend think of doorway pages as kw phrases or anchor text without meaningful context.

Might be an issue of definition here - wouldn't there be difference in that directories will point to multiple sites for a topic, where doorways focus on a single "result."

L.

[Alarr]

I think verticle (niche) directories do have a place. Let's consider the value to both the advertiser and the user.

THE ADVERTISER
The advertiser (either free or paid) may find the directory a useful tool in their online marketing mix. First, they may have toruble getting top-30 search positions in major search engines. Second, if the directory is industry specific (as we are talking here), visitors to the directory may be more qualified.

Advertisers may experience less traffic, but their conversion rate may be significantly higher.

THE USER
The user (those using the directory to locate or source products) may find a directory more useful as the company type they are looking for will be more focused. For example, do a search for "meat exporters" and seaarch results on major search engines may include results like Meat Loaf and the meat puppets (rock groups).

Visitors generally do not view past the first 30 search results and thus, the top 30 directory results would be focused on that niche rather than mixed with other topics.

Just some thoughts...

[Alarr]

Of course, this is assuming the search diretory has a solid business plan and attracts its intended market.

[noel_x99]

The human element added to a good directory does make sense I'd like to think it won't go away soon. (Not that the human element is sometimes a problem).

But if I'm looking something up...I search G or one of the others. I'm not heading to a directory. Sometimes I browse a niche directory in a search...but not if I can find the page I want.

[qwerty]

The big difference to me (and yes, I run a niche directory) is that while the search engine can be gamed algorithmically, a well-edited directory can't. An irrelevant site isn't going to get in by getting tons of links, by cloaking, or any other means. It has to actually be relevant to get in. Admittedly, there is the problem of sites changing after they get in, but nobody's saying directories are perfect.

With that in mind, if I know what I'm looking for, and I know there's a good, authoritative directory out there that's about the subject, that's where I'm probably going to look. And you're going to find that such a directory gains a knowledgeable audience -- the people in the business will both want to be listed and find colleagues there. And that partially alleviates the changed site problem: people will write to the editor and let them know about it when they find that something's not right.