Would you keep Paid Directory Submissions a part of your SEO Strategy?
-
We've been debating this. We've had some budget allocated to quality paid directory listings. We read that SEOMOZ analyzed some 2685 directories, 20% of which were banned from Google.
So our question is, should we keep paid directory submissions with keyword rich anchor texts as a part of your SEO strategy or should we drop it.
Thanks!
-
Depends. Typically not, but depending on what you are doing you may have to rely on some of these to meet mkt objectives.
Here is an example, for industrial b2b, ThomasNet, Globalspec & MacRae's are paid directories that are typically used because of the amount of prospects using them. So in a way it is a paid link to your website that Google frowns upon even though a firm may not be using it for that purpose.
In a grand scheme of things, Google is a paid directory via adwords.
-
I suppose it all depends on what you mean by 'directory'. If you just mean paid inclusion - i.e. there's no value in being on that site, or even no listing on that site if you don't pay, then No, because essentially it's a paid link (which is generally bad).
If that directory is offering you some other paid service on top of a good free listing on a quality directory, then you have to assess that website in terms of its return for you. Do a few minutes research to determine if being listed on that site is likely to be good for your business, except for another 'keyword rich anchor text'...
You need to assess each site on its own merits, but we don't use paid directories - in our eyes you'd be better investing that time and money in producing some great content and then getting that out over social media. There are usually much better investments for your business finances than a paid directory - especially if there's the risk that a website you've paid to be listed on falls out of the Google index and therefore is giving you precisely nil value.
Remember link building should be a natural thing, so get a variety of websites, a variety of link texts and as is preached here at SEOmoz, get good quality editorial links where you can too.
Hope this helps a little.
Got a burning SEO question?
Subscribe to Moz Pro to gain full access to Q&A, answer questions, and ask your own.
Browse Questions
Explore more categories
-
Moz Tools
Chat with the community about the Moz tools.
-
SEO Tactics
Discuss the SEO process with fellow marketers
-
Community
Discuss industry events, jobs, and news!
-
Digital Marketing
Chat about tactics outside of SEO
-
Research & Trends
Dive into research and trends in the search industry.
-
Support
Connect on product support and feature requests.
Related Questions
-
Looking for a Link Building Strategy
Hi, I am looking for information on how to develop a link building strategy... I am wondering if its a good to go through a list of directory sites ( which I do not currently have)... Does anyone have a list? Do people set targets for the amount of links they wish to get?.
Link Building | | paddyaran0 -
Links from Directory Websites with NoFollow Tag
In reviewing our root domain links, I noticed that many of the directories (like Yellow Pages, Insider Pages, Merchant Circle, etc) that there are no follow codes included in the link to our website. Is this a common practice for these directories? Also, I wanted to confirm that this would not help in our link building strategies with any relevant "link juice." Below is a copy and pasted (with some extra characters that shouldn't have copy and pasted), but the key note here is the no follow tag that was included in this link to our site. Visit Website Thanks as always MOZ Community - cheers!
Link Building | | Leithmarketing0 -
SEO SEA strategy
Hi, At this time i encounter the next problem as SEO at a retailer. They increased there SEA budget on branded and non branded keywords the generate more traffic on the Adwords campaign. But Now the SEO traffic is decreasing and the SEA traffic is getting bigger and bigger. Especialy on mobile devices where you only see the adwords link and no organic link without scrolling. It's also good for the conversion rate, so we have to do this. But i am curious how other SEO's deal with this thing. What will you do to find new sources of organic traffic? Are you using more longtail keywords or low volume or other things. Like to hear from you. Grtz, Leonie
Link Building | | Leonie-Kramer0 -
Seo for a photographer's website
Hello all, I am a big fan of this site & of SEO. I am a photographer & I do my own SEO (horribly, I must admit), my questions is how to I go about attracting natural links when so much of my content image of weddings & family portraits? How I do get good websites or blogs interested in about my website?
Link Building | | KristopherWho0 -
Why am is my PR # dropping after signing up for quality directories?
I have followed the suggestion regarding quality inbound linking from reputable sites....ie open directory, yahoo, and only directories recommended by other SEO groups and only with PR's of 4 or higher. After listing, my PR # went down. How do I find the culprit to start reversing this? My fear is I am on a downward slope..Thanks!
Link Building | | cschwartzel0 -
Is this directory good or spamy?
I was using open site explorer and one of our local competitors and in the top 5 of the SERP has a link in http://directory.askbee.net/submit-site-to-directory.html They want either a $1, $5 or a 3 way link to get your link in the directory. Do any of these help or would this directory be a waste of time. Thanks
Link Building | | mmaes0 -
What is an infographic? And how is it used for SEO?
I've heard the term used in some of the webinars hosted on SEOMOZ and tried googling the term with no results. What the heck is this? And how is it good for SEO?
Link Building | | NaHoku0 -
SEO Optimization is causing rankings to drop
The more I improve my site and the more links I try to get it seems that my site is just ranking worse and worse. Any ideas? domain name: www.musillawfirm.com Top Keywords wanting to rank for: Melbourne FL DUI lawyer Melbourne FL immigration lawyer cocoa FL DUI lawyer cocoa FL immigration lawyer
Link Building | | musillawfirm0