Sphinn - Do Directory Submissions Still Hold Any Value?

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Do Directory Submissions Still Hold Any Value?

Went Hot: February 7, 2008 - 2:23 pm
Posted By: gyutae 514 days ago
Topic Type: News Story (Jump to http://www.searchengineguide.com)
Category: Link Building

Once upon a time directories provided value to webmasters who were either looking to get new sites indexed or increase their site's link popularity or both. Now I am seeing a trend where directories are not as helpful in these two areas as they once were. Add to that the rising costs of submission fees and it is easy to see why the small business owner should approach directory submissions very carefully.

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from jonhenshaw 514 days ago #

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I'm very careful with the directories I use (if any). I've had too many SERP hits directly after adding sites to "trusted" directories. The only time it makes the most sense to me to use any directories is with a locale-based campaign. Otherwise, I approach them very cautiously -- even with niche directories and sites.

from Gab 514 days ago #

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It's boring stuff like this which makes me no longer read SEG and SEJ.

from SlightlyShadySEO 514 days ago #

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I have a list of some 200 or so I can autosubmit to(my own software, so they're not whored around much)...they're decent for quickly getting indexed, but immediately after submission I have to prop the site up with less spammy links to offset the nasty directories. If I do that, I find I can rank decently...not fantastic though. Nothing like how it was.

from BrettFromTibet 514 days ago #

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I don't spend much of my time submitting to directories or researching them. When I first started SEO I went down a huge list of them and I got less-than-impressive results. Even Yahoo Site Explorer wouldn't pick up half of them.

from JamesDuthie 514 days ago #

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I'm not sure anyone really thinks directories have any great relevance any more. They have been far surpassed by link baiting and social media as effective link building tactics.

from fireflyseo 513 days ago #

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I love slightly shaddy SEO's admissions :) He's more like totally dodgeySEO - In a good way.

from MAtkins 513 days ago # - show/hide this comment

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OK, so reciprocal links are out, directories are largely out, comments (like this) are out.
Buying expired domains with old PR is out.
What legitimate link building strategies are left?

I see article after article on what NOT to do.

I see positive stuff for PPC. Is this the only option left?

How can we build valid inbound links?
Florida Web Design in Orlando

from carralon 246 days ago #

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the last experience i had with experimenting web directories took me to have the website PR value decreased by google last september! i can be 100% certain that those links from presumably non-trusteddirectories cause the issue but I am a bit apprehensive about how much time I put into it and exactly which directories i go for.

Matkins, you may find this post useful: http://www.bruceclay.com/blog/archives/2008/10/link_building_f.html