Do Directories Really Help With SEO?
Ask an SEO “expert” about submitting to web directories and most will say that it’s a great idea. It has long been an easy method of building stable and managable backlinks to your website of choice. Social Marketing has taken away a lot of the web directory’s steam, but there are still hundreds of directories out there receiving submissions every day.
Google has historically recommended that webmasters be listed in high quality directories as a way to improve organic search traffic. In fact, Google’s own web directory is pulled straight from the DMOZ.org directory. It has just been the rule, get listed in DMOZ and Yahoo! Directory, and you’re set. While I agree that these two directories are highly respected, I have begun to question their true value.
Take DMOZ, for example. It has gotten to the point where it is nearly impossible to have your site accepted into the directory without knowing (or bribing) the editor for that directory. Many webmasters submit their site and wait months without any response. Admission into the DMOZ directory no longer means that you have one of the best sites on the web…it means you got lucky.
Google seems to be starting to think this way as well. In it’s webmaster guidelines, the search giant recently removed a suggestion that webmaster submit their sites to DMOZ and Yahoo. Does this signify the beginning of the end for web directories? Not quite. Google says it will still recognize links in respected, relevant directories. Listing your website in a hundred small, general web directories will no longer do very much for your site. You will benefit more from a focus on niche directories and the highly respected directories like DMOZ. Also, getting links from .ORG website and .EDU websites seems to be gaining favor with Google and other search engines.
While directory submission doesn’t appear that it will do anything to hurt your website, it will likely not provide the same ranking boost as it has in the past. It is still worth your time to submit to the top directories, but also focus your efforts on well respected niche directories that are related to your website. These links should continue to provide benefits for your website well into the future.
Justin Scarborough founded Affiliate Marketing Linx (http://www.affiliatemarketinglinx.com) in order to help others interested in affiliate marketing sort out the valuable information from the many scams out there.
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