Is purchasing internal page links from directories worth it?
-
Since data suggests that only the first link on a page to a singular URL is counted, are the deep links purchased from directories worth the money/provide any value?
-
As others here have addressed the merits of directory links, let me address your question more narrowly. Do deep links, if they are from the same page, count?
Short answer, yes. Results from several experiments over the years have shown that Google only counts the first link on a page to a particular URL, but links to multiple URLs still count. (although there are ways to get around this as well.)
Think of them like links on your homepage, all pointing to various internal pages on your site. Each link passes value, although certain links pass more weight than others.
Almost always, the first link in any price of editorial content carries more weight than all the others. Multiple links to the same domain carry much, much less value.
Best advice: Deep linking from directories may carry value, but in light of Penguin and Google's mass de-listing of several directories, I'd be careful to only obtain links from the highest quality of human-edited niche and specialty directories. I'm no longer a fan of general directories at all, although more testing needs to be done.
-
If you notice, the list of directories on SEOmoz is very very short, but I agree that Google's policies may not be the most helpful to someone in your situation. if you notice many of the directories SEOmoz recommends are niche directories with a very narrow focus and a strong editorial policy.
Just as book publishing moves from pay for play vanity presses to esteemed academic houses, so do directory link values move from cheap spammy free and pay sites to directories like DMOZ and Yahoo and BBB.org which provide true value.
You should certainly submit to yahoo and dmoz, of course. I think it all comes down to PR and authority when Google looks at directory links and the nature of the editorial policy. You have to ask yourself "is this directory designed to make the owner a profit only or is this directory meant to add value to the Web as well."
I think a good alternative to buying directory links is to start building links through social properties. Sites like Twitter, Delicious, and Pinterest act like directories in many ways.
So, I would start building some stacks, creating some twitter lists, and pinning all that great content your client is producing along side a few strategic directory submissions. And good luck!
jonatdrpower
-
What about all of the directories the SEOmoz.org suggests as "good" directories? Are you saying Google sees editorial reviewed directories that require payment for that review as bad "paid" links?
-
Business.com external links are no follow, which is in accordance with Google paid links policy, so you would get no seo benefit from buying a link from business.com. I don't think many people would use business.com to find a service or product anyways...They would most likely just use google.
-
This is a little confusing as even SEOmoz produces a list of "good" directories to submit your site to, many of which require a payment for editorial review. Are you saying that Google is now looking down on directories like Business.com. BOTW, etc?
Let's say that you only focus on quality directories that editorially review submission (with a cost). Would multiple links on the same page to internal pages of yours be counted?
-
Mj775,
For me purchasing links of any kind is too risky.
That being said, I don't think these deep links are worth the money. Depending on the size and quality of the directory, you could pay from $5 to $100 a month. That's per keyword of course, and over a year or even six months this could add up.
If I were in your shoes, I would look to expand the number of linking root domains and not the number of links per domain. And if I did buy directory links, I would make sure my link had its own real estate.
And of course, stay away from site-wide links.
Thanks,
jonatdrpower
-
I think google's stance is that any paid links for search engine ranking purposes is bad. Purchased links for advertising purposes is ok. If your purchasing internal links from directories for the sole purpose of rankings, I think google will pick up on that and end up penalizing you sooner or later.
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
-
When conducting a link building strategy does it matter the country the link is from?
We are a UK business and if we have links mostly from US based blogs and websites does this penalise us. The links are from relevant websites and topics. Should we be focusing on .co.uk sites
Link Building | | Caffeine_Marketing1 -
Page Authority vs Domain Authority for Inbound Links
When executed correctly, earning links from high authority sites that are relevant to my website's industry are still valuable correct? So I want to know what is more valuable to my site and influencing the ranking of my site? Is it better to gain links that have a high page authority or domain authority? What is more valuable to my site and influencing its ranking?
Link Building | | PartyStore0 -
Linking to press coverage, reciprocal links?
We have been generating decent online press coverage with links to our site thanks to our PR agency and I have been asked to link to the online coverage from our website in a 'press coverage' section. My question is would google consider links from our site to the online press coverage as reciprocal links? Thanks
Link Building | | gavinr
Gavin0 -
400$ to sponsoring an Event page, does it worth the money?
I'm thinking of sponsoring an Event page related to a campaign topic. DOMAIN AUTHORITY
Link Building | | wppseo
49 /100 PAGE AUTHORITY
49 /100 Type of link: Linked Image, with other 30 Followed External Linked Images in the same page.
Page with a very long life. Cost of the sponsorship:
300 Euros
410 US Dollars It is worth?0 -
Are moderated external links in a "showcase" worth having?
We have some e-commerce software with several dozen websites that use our technology. The websites have links to the developer and design shops that made the site as well as the site itself. All of these sites are moderated so we don't have to worry about spam. My question is should some or all of these links be rel=nofollow? The links are definitely pointing to legit development shops but those sites aren't always strictly related to e-commerce or the keywords we're trying to rank for. Any thoughts on how to treat these links?
Link Building | | schof0 -
Why do internal, fake profiles on revebnation sit so high in their linking profile?
I was researching the link profile of Reverbnation to understand where they get most of their links from and a number of these fake reverbnation profiles showed up that seem to be about drugs- is this spam? Here are some examples: http://www.reverbnation.com/fan/tramadolfordepression http://www.reverbnation.com/page_object/page_object_bio/fan_1340318 There are about a dozen of these on their site. Super curious and would love any feedback or knowledge that may be out there! Thanks
Link Building | | Kendi0 -
What is the best company to use when building links to feature on multiple directories online?
I am looking to build links for my clients who are in a very competitive industry 'airport parking', can you advise where I can submit their URL to generate good quality links without being penalised?
Link Building | | shami0 -
Links from internal pages from other website.
A website link to our site from internal pages of that site where page rank is 0 but page rank of home page of that website is 5 ,it will helpful or I should get links from a page where page rank is available there?
Link Building | | SEOteam20110