Are directories still an option for linkbuilding
-
I know that after the recent slate of Google updates, many free directories got taken down. We've typically used the list of directories placed on SEOmoz (www.seomoz.org/directories). Before adding a site to a directory, we always check to see if it is indexed by Google.
Is this still a safe option or should directories be avoided?
-
Eric,
Sure. If there are barriers to get in a directory, that will help prohibit many "spammy" type links. So a barrier made be a paid listing (TN, MacRae's, GlobalSpec & etc.), a vertical directory (where only sites that are contextual relevant apapera) or any directory that are selective.
Personally, we have had much luck with ThomasNet (not so much with GlobalSpec). However, like you said, it requires a bit of work. If you have any questions about TN, let me know as we have used for many years.
-
I do some directory submission but on a small scale and only in local, niche specific directories that I believe could bring us some traffic.
The biggest caution I would say is to be really careful about anchor text. If you've got a pile of directory submissions all using keyword anchor text then that could be a Penguin trigger. I mostly use my URL for anchor text now, with the occasional keyword where appropriate.
-
I have to disagree with the people that don't think they carry much value these days. Over the last month I have submitted my site to 5 of the referred directories on the seomoz list and this week alone I have had 4 keywords move up +13 +3 +8 +45. So I think they still carry some weight but I believe it really depends on how your entire back link profile is set up.
Think of it like a scale, if you have tons of junk links on one side of the scale, then you may not see any change because the bad links are weighing you down. However, If you have a good back link profile these links will carry more weight and help you out tremendously.
-
Great info, Michael. Thanks for the response!
-
Are you sure this is the 'Best' practice post panda/penguin?
-
er, contrary to some posts on here i'd say that yes, it still does play a (small) part in the overall mix.
Getting a listing in Dmoz no longer has the impact it once had, and getting listed can take an age, so submit to it and forget about it.
Most of the manually edited directories can still play a part, and more than anything getting listed in directories is a natural process for any website.
If you have already visited the moz list and submitted your site to them then good work, as long as you worked towards getting listed in directories that are specific to your industry then a job well done.
Keep moving along with your day to day seo efforts and submit to directories as and when you find a good, relevant one.
Further more, as you have probably already seen on the moz list and by reading other Q&A posts there are some paid directories such as Yahoo and BOTW (others are available) that for me have proved worthwhile when submitting to, and I did see a ranking increase as others have in the weeks after I submitted to them.
-
Kevin,
Thanks for your reply. Question, could you elaborate on "it its difficult to get in a directory". We've had good luck with Thomasnet; with their directory, the difficulty getting in is that they require a lot of information about the client. Is this what you mean?
-
We still get relevant traffic and good leads from some directories. However, we only use reputable directories in certain niches (industrial directories). General rule of thumb, if it's difficult to get in a directory, it's probably a good place to be.
-
Indeed the best practice is link exchange with good PR and relevant to your site. I totally agree Matthew Marley you don't get too much value this day using that technique.!
-
I would only look at the likes of dmoz, local and maybe niche directory's
I dont think they carry much value these days.
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
-
Is commentluv still available today in google seach
Hi I'm an SEO beginner. I watched a video on youtube that introduce commentluc do follow links and MOZ two days ago. But when I tried to make a comment link, I can not find an available post agent to upload my comment. I had tried about 3 comment websites and still so. Any opinions? Our website is https://rockroosterfootwear.com/ very poor DA. Are there any new means to get do follow links in 2021?
Link Building | | RockRooster0 -
Do you know worthy web directories
Does somebody know editorial web directories where it is still worth posting your link (like Dmoz)?
Link Building | | MichaelJanik0 -
Directory Submissions = Negative?
I see that a lot of SEO companies offer a large 5,000 directory submission package with slow, 160 day submissions. I don't mind spending the money to have this done, but my question is... would they help, or would they actually hurt my rankings? Since a lot of these directories are basically just copies of each other on different domains. As an added question, would it be worth submitting to all of the general directories on this list? http://www.seomoz.org/directories
Link Building | | JABacchetta0 -
DMOZ Directory
Have not hear much good about DMOZ lately. Is this listing worth anything?
Link Building | | casper4340 -
Has anyone done any real research about paid directories?
Hi Guys Im doing a little link building and in the industry Im working in there are quite a few directories....most offer free inclusion as long as you link back to them. This process can be slow due to the number of people trying to get listed. Also most offer a "express service" whereby you can get your site reviewed and uploaded faster if you pay a nominal fee circa £15. I'm not refering to any old directories these are directories which are industry specific and related to my site, however they are not confined to the country I am in (UK) but extend world wide So that got me thinking has anyone actually done any conclusive research which suggests that either A) you will not get any benefit from being included in such a directory or B) that you get penalised if you do so or C) none of the above and there is some benefit. I have been using open site explore and I can see these sites are giving link juice to my competition (as far as I can tell ofcourse) I found a site with almost all of its back links from these types of directories ranking on the first page for a very competitive term (67% using Keyword Difficulty tool) Would be interested to hear your thoughts / experiences
Link Building | | RankStealer0 -
Submitting to Directories
What do you look for when submitting to directories? I'm going through the Web Directories list that SEOMoz has put out and trying to decide which are the best. I'm just wondering if anybody has any suggestions as far as what to look for before submitting. I know PageRank is kind of an old metric but I do seem to see a correlation between PageRank and directory cost. If I submit to a directory category with a PR of 4 or 5 it seems like it will cost me anywhere between $50-$300.
Link Building | | TRICORSystems0 -
Why are major directories missing from link report
Why are back links like dir.yahoo.com not listed in the link report for sites that are listed in dir.yahoo.com? For a site with 18 back links and a DA of 28, how much affect, if any, would a paid listing in a directory like yahoo have on the sites DA?
Link Building | | ChristopherGlaeser0 -
Web directory links
Just wondering about this SEO company that promises submissions to 65 000 web directories?
Link Building | | jingliang3_rogers.com
Is this even possible? Are many of the links going to be low-quality or worthless? What do you guys think?0