Thread: Are directories really worth it?

I mean, you submit to them, and then wait ages for the site to be listed on a PR0 page, no traffic. Seems to me that directories are a complete and utter waste of time.

Do you agree?

I think that is true for alot of directories, but some of them are good. I get traffic from some of the more known directories. I typically don't pay fr directory listings (I'm cheap) but there are free ones that actually give me traffic.

Some of them actually hurt you more than help, if you have links coming out of "link farms" (reciprocal link directories) in large quantity you are in grave danger of getting de-indexed right along with the link farm!

Any directory with 25% or more reciprocal links within their database could be considered a link farm by the SE's and may be devalued or penalized.

Good to know Sig, so I should stop my recip then probably in my directory to keep it in better standing? What is the benefit of just allowing free links in there then?

Originally Posted by SigSpammer

Some of them actually hurt you more than help, if you have links coming out of "link farms" (reciprocal link directories) in large quantity you are in grave danger of getting de-indexed right along with the link farm!

Any directory with 25% or more reciprocal links within their database could be considered a link farm by the SE's and may be devalued or penalized.

Hmmm.....I don't think links to your site will affect you in the eyes of the Search Engines. If they do that, that it is pretty easy to sabotage your competitors. Just link them in every link farm you can find.

Originally Posted by Solidghost

Hmmm.....I don't think links to your site will affect you in the eyes of the Search Engines. If they do that, that it is pretty easy to sabotage your competitors. Just link them in every link farm you can find.

Only an idiot would do that!

In addition how are you going TO GET THEM TO LINK BACK TO THE DIRECTORY ???

I guess you have not thought about that! ??

Directories are meant to be a resource that should provide value to the user Kim, you give links to provide a service if the sites you list have value to the reader, if people actually use the directory you have traffic to monetize!

Directories are long term ventures, in the last few years everyone and GrandMa too has started a dozen or so, but 99% of them have little value to the user and that is what separates good directories from bad ones.

Originally Posted by Solidghost

Hmmm.....I don't think links to your site will affect you in the eyes of the Search Engines. If they do that, that it is pretty easy to sabotage your competitors. Just link them in every link farm you can find.

Have you done that to your competitors?

He can't do it, because he can't complete the cycle by linking back to the directory!

So the general consenus is that they are a waste of time.

I agree.

So is article submission.

The only way to get links nowadays is write unqiue content, that's informational to the user, and people will link to it.

Originally Posted by DarrenC

So the general consenus is that they are a waste of time.

I agree.

So is article submission.

The only way to get links nowadays is write unqiue content, that's informational to the user, and people will link to it.

Not only like that. I create free themes, which link back and hundreds, if not thousands, use them. PR6! Cool! Lots of work though if I want to keep it, always update themes and try to make more. It gets me work.

Yes, creating themes, tools, etc. can be a great way of getting link backs.

I'm not talented though.

I'm just a lazy arse traveller, who blogs. Blogging though is a great way to get links, and I'd say over 75% of my 14,000 links to the travel blog are one-way links.

You're talented Darren, in a different area, I cannot write for beans! So I have to design for backlinks, grrr!! You're very successful, everyone wants a piece of your sites BECAUSE of the content YOU write.

Well, one problem, most people don't use directories to actually search for anything, even giant directories like Thomas Register a company that has run directories for over 50 years have taken a large hit from search engines.

That's not to say there is not value in large directories and directories run by vertical trade magazines if you are looking for exposure, they can be great and a source of a good link to your website.

But most of the directories popping up in the webmaster sector are designed for link pop or to make money for the directory owner in selling listings, if you are looking for traffic, don't expect much.

The luster of "getting as many links as you can get to rank from any source" is gone as far as SEO, today bad links do more harm than good.

Originally Posted by SigSpammer

He can't do it, because he can't complete the cycle by linking back to the directory!

It can be done using a different or hidden link page...the name will not matter they just check to see if their link is there. Even a sub domain can work. I am referring to just getting links from FFA or bad neighborhoods....That's mt 2 cents

I'm submiting a lot to directories.
I must say I get no traffic at all from them, but I got PR and that is good!

Originally Posted by K-Girl

Not only like that. I create free themes, which link back and hundreds, if not thousands, use them. PR6! Cool! Lots of work though if I want to keep it, always update themes and try to make more. It gets me work.

I wish I knew how to make phpld skins, it would be perfect for me. Since I can easily create a few nice designs and get em into html/css. I'd be able to make like 1 free theme a week!

Originally Posted by Klaas Koopman

I wish I knew how to make phpld skins, it would be perfect for me. Since I can easily create a few nice designs and get em into html/css. I'd be able to make like 1 free theme a week!

I'd even possibly sponsor some of them

Originally Posted by SigSpammer

Only an idiot would do that!

In addition how are you going TO GET THEM TO LINK BACK TO THE DIRECTORY ???

I guess you have not thought about that! ??

Originally Posted by SigSpammer

Some of them actually hurt you more than help, if you have links coming out of "link farms" (reciprocal link directories) in large quantity you are in grave danger of getting de-indexed right along with the link farm!

If you were to read your own post, you never state anything about getting them to link back to the directory.

Originally Posted by K-Girl

Have you done that to your competitors?

No, but anyway that won't work.
I was telling Sigspammer it won't work.

So you are going to teach me about how the directory game works ? This is not my first week in the business for your information.

I don't want to be mean man, but it seems you missed the word "Reciprocal Link" in this post I made!

Maybe you would be better off to think things out before making statements!

I suppose directories are only good places for links when you sponsor them, I've tried this out on one forum, and it's just one keyword term back in to the top 10, which I have struggled with all year.

Actual directory submissions though bring me no traffic, and very little weight in search engine optimisation.

Originally Posted by SigSpammer

So you are going to teach me about how the directory game works ? This is not my first week in the business for your information.

I don't want to be mean man, but it seems you missed the word "Reciprocal Link" in this post I made!

Maybe you would be better off to think things out before making statements!

Ouch, temper. What does first week in business got to do with this??

Anyway, your statement is about links COMING OUT of link farms. You should have said links TO link farms. I am just stating the links from link farms will never hurt you. They may not have much of a value, but they don't get you de-listed.

I assume you do understand that I said "RECIPROCAL LINKS" by now ????

Next if you have 1,000 one way links coming OUT OF LINK FARM DIRECTORIES, the search engines are smart enough to understand that you either paid for links in those directories or hired a submission firm to get links in thousands of directories that may or may not be branded as a link farm in the search engines database depending on the percentage of reciprocal links in any particular directories database.

You don't decide if your directory is a link farm, the search engines do!

In other words, so called SEO tactics that webmasters think are good, are not so good, the majority of webmasters are behind the curve and are followers.

Most of the self proclaimed so called "SEO experts" that post on webmaster forums are nothing more than link hustlers, signature spammers and con men trying to work traffic exchanges and many of them are link farm owners and operators!

If the shoe fits, wear it man!