Does anybody do directory submissions anymore?
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I came across this list http://www.seomoz.org/directories and was wondering what everybody's opinions are on using directories for link building.
Are they a complete waste of time and money? Does anybody get positive results from doing directory submissions?
Cheers
Al
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To me, asking if you should submit to directories is like asking if you should post on forums or comment on blogs. Not all directories are the same. There are some well maintained directories, and many times over the years the submissions to these directories help rankings.
Interesting that the Link Acquisition Tool in labs here on Seomoz points a user of that tool to lots of directories.
One person that has maintained a wonderful directory list for almost 10 years now is Dan over at info.vilesilencer.com and great place to start if you want to include some smaller but well maintained directories in your SEO (and lists the larger ones too).
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Directories may not be a game changing strategy but to a certain degree it might still help. I would suggest staying away general directories that is very crowded or looks busy but submit to niche directories or professional directories that can send quality traffic to your website. Even if it doesn't help with SEO, increasing traffic is a good thing.
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See I do as the others, if it's relevant and it's free I will submit but I don't spend hours looking for directories and I don't pay for listings either.
For example botw.org, they are charging $150 / $200 for a listing - I would rather have 15 / 20 unique articles created for guest blogging then the listing.
1 link on botw or 15+ links from 15 different relevant blogs.
Well that's how I look at it anyway.
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I think, Google has not yet ban Directory submission eg Matt Cutts recommended 3 directories dmoz, Yahoo Dir & botw.org. I think they just want to to build quality backlinks not quantity
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Hello Alex
Link building with directories is useful for new sites to get a platform from local directories and niche directories.
Some directories still hold value with Google and other search engines which will be on the SEOMoz directory list.
For more information on directory links I would point you to pointblankseo link building course where he has a great spreadsheet on directories http://course.pointblankseo.com/signup/
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_Directory submissions are not waste of time. I do not see any such reason why I should not be interested in getting my website listed in Dmoz since chances are there that the listed website will be managed to drive some traffic through it. Just do not overdo this. And do not try to manipulate the algo by submitting your website is meaningless directories and with exact anchor texts. Thankfully those days are gone. _
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I personally stay away from the generic directories nowadays. If it's not a local directory then it's not worth it in the long term, and from a time investment strategy, would you rather spend an hour or two submitting to generic directories or investing that time in creating a fantastic bit of content or feature for your site that may generate real links.
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For fledgling sites i always start with directory submission, the best practice is to get listed in local directories or niche-specific directories that can send highly targeted traffic to your website. (all of which you find in that list)
I personally don't bother for already established sites.
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