SEOMoz Link Directory - As Silly as I think it is?

[alhallinan]

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE LOVE LOVE SEOmoz, but their "Link Directory" (www.seomoz.org/directories) is a bit deceiving.

I was looking for a list of DIRECTORIES that Moz recommends, not a bunch of places where you can pay for advertising.

On top of that, it also lists dmoz as one of the spots to get links from, but have you ever actually ever been able to get a link from dmoz? I know I haven't, and we've been trying to get a link for years.

Anyone else disappointed in this list? Does anyone have a good list of directories?

-Andy

P.S. I love you SEOmoz! Don't hate me for this critique!

[KeriMorgret]

Just wanted to leave a quick note saying that SEOmoz has upgraded the Link Directory! You can view a post Cyrus wrote with more information at http://www.seomoz.org/blog/seo-link-directory-best-practices.

[USHoleInOne]

Im with IanTheScot, I have been successful getting a link with DMoz, but I have also been trying to get one for 3 years with another client.

[IanTheScot]

We've been trying to get a dmoz link for 9 years.

[seanmccauley]

How much time and effort can you spend in obtaining a link from DMoz. I was of the opinion that its just a submit and waiting game?

[AnthonyMangia]

SEOmoz knows and has acknowledged that this resource requires a good bit of TLC.  That being said, there are still a couple of good directories in that list - it's not a terrible starting point.

In general, I would try to minimize the importance of directory submissions in your link building process.  For my clients and my personal projects, I target perhaps 10-20 high value general directories (some paid, like Yahoo and JoeAnt), as many high quality niche directories as I can find, and then I move on.  It's not a huge part of my process, and I don't think it should be a huge part of yours.  The fact is that these websites have thousands upon thousands of outbound links that dilute the power of the link to your website, which is already buried deep on some sub-topic page below hundreds of other links.  There are directories that are the exception to the rule and do indeed provide great links and good click-through traffic, but in my experience, those are usually industry-specific.

Now, I'm sure a lot of other SEOs on this forum do way more directory submissions than I do (I'm definitely on the low side), but I think most people here will agree that you don't want to make them a big part of your link building strategy.  Pour your time and energy into creating great content, networking with bloggers and auhority figures on Twitter, writing guest posts, etc.  I'll take one GREAT link from one of the above methods over 1,000 directory links in a heartbeat - and I think that you should too.

[USHoleInOne]

Well it is obviously out-dated, most links are from 2007-2008. While DMoz is hard to get, if you can get a link from that directory it is worth the time and effort. Some are also expensive, like BBB, but there have been posts on SEOMoz about the worth of a BBB link.

I guess the whole list is out-dated because there are not that many trust-worthy link directories in general. It is also an older tactic, whereas finding and earning natural links seems to be the better way to get links pointing to your site.