Directory Submissions don’t Kill, they Work and How! (& we’ve got Proof!)
Posted
December 5, 2008Comments
(19)With Directory Submissions in the line of fire and people shying away from it, there has been a general misconception that submitting to directories is harmful for your site. Can somebody get me the guy who was kind enough to spread this baseless allegation on directory submissions!! For people who are wondering why I am advocating submitting to directories, it’s to state a universal truth. If directory submissions were harmful, it would be real simple to kill competition. Submit your competitor’s site to directories and later attend the funeral!
Lets face it, directory submissions are one of the main sources of links apart from various other methods. It’s effective especially when building links for niche and not so competitive search terms. I have seen the results myself and if you’re not too greedy with the terms you target in your directory submissions, you could be pleasantly surprised with the results.
Here’s an example of one of the sites tested: http://www.statisticalforecasting.com was submitted to directories using 5 different titles and descriptions. The titles used were ‘Forecasting & Statistics in Business’, ‘Statistical Forecasting’, ‘Methods of Forecasting’, ‘Statistical Techniques’ and ‘Statistics and Forecasting’. If individual searches are conducted in Google for each of these titles, you would see that the site ranks in the top 10 for some of these terms (not mentioning the rankings out here since they might change with time). What’s important to note is that this site has never been promoted by any method other than directory submissions and they’re still ranking on top!
A manual submission service, Directory Maximizer, was used for the submissions and the results are there for all to see. So I would advise all NOT to ignore directory submissions on mere hearsay, it can work if you rotate your titles, think about the target terms and take the time to do your submissions properly. If you don’t have the time to do submissions yourself, I would recommend taking a look at Directory Maximizer, they have some great features. If you choose to do submissions yourself, you can find a huge resource of free directories on our site, so feel free to use them.
Hi “thecritic”,
It’s not that directory submissinos do not work, its that the value from specific directories is questionalbe. Also, as you can imagine, if a search engine seen that you only had links frok directories, it may not be the best signal to be sending.
Go directories, I think they a good for of “basic” link building in moderation/.
Yes, as stated above as well, directory submissions are only “one of the sources” of building links, it obviously isn’t advisable, to do only that! The only reason this website was tested with just directory submissions, is because Directory Maximizer wanted to measure the impact of directory submissions alone.
As for the value gained from a few specific directories, that’s where I would say a directory submission service like Directory Maximizer comes in, they screen every single directory before they put it up on their lists and even once it’s up, constantly monitor it. Something, which could be very time consuming for an individual to do.
I would maintain, if you keep varying your titles & descriptions, submitting to directories can definitely be a good source of building links.
Directory submissions are not what they used to be. Many directory sites are small and have been created with the sole purpose of making money and have little interest in reviewing websites for quality.
In addition, it is now well known that directories provide a source of links for websites which otherwise would find it difficult to get natural links.
If you look at an average directory, its is full of low PageRank, low-quality sites which you would not wish your website to be associated with.
Directories have there place, if they are well chosen, and can be of benefit but they have lost their power to raise sites to the top of the list on the whole and I cannot see this situation improving in the near future.
Well, yes! I would have to agree with your view point, but having done that, let’s not forget, that there are still those good old web directories that haven’t forgotten their purpose… The typical saying of “one rotten apple, spoils the basket” would apply out here.
The reputation of the “rotten apples” precede themselves, there were directories & these guys made them into “link farms” but the good old guys stuck to their task & even till date I would have to say that there are a few good ones that do come about every now & then.
Take for example, the more recent social bookmarking sites, the “rotten apples” haven’t spared that market either, for every good social bookmarking site there are 10 poor & low quality ones.
In conclusion, I would just say that while I completely agree with you, we should not forget that Directory Submissions do help in improving rankings for Niche terms & till it’s proved otherwise as Internet Marketers we should not ignore it as a link building factor!
I guess I have been apprehensive about how Google spiders view such services with all of the changes they have made. It’s not the cost but the real effect.
I understand your apprehension, but as you can see above, the site mentioned (Statistical Forecasting) has built links only through Directory Submissions and the very fact that it shows up in Google is evidence that they recognize Directory Submissions.
And also, like I said, if it were to be detrimental it would be very easy to bring down your competitor’s rankings.
It is great that Directories are available to supplement search engines. Well thought of.
Since the days of Web 1.0, online directories have provided countless marketers with a cost-effective foundation for their online lead generation campaigns.
Today’s Web 2.0 directories have become more niche-oriented and with ORGANIZED and strong social media applications they’re making a comeback, big time.
The directorycritic.com is a great website its helpfull in all the way. a lots of directtory source.
I have one question can I submit my website Minerva Infotech (www.minervait.com) on one directory many time or with many keywords or category ?
No, you cannot do that! Each directory only allows one listing per site, there are a few of them (Deep Linking Directories) that allow you to submit different sections of your site, but in general you can have only 1 entry per site.
Well, yes! I would have to agree with your view point, but having done that, let’s not forget, that there are still those good old web directories
Directory submissions are the core of any good SEO campaign, but they should not be the only method of link building.
One thing I do while doing my submissions is keep an eye out for potential site to link with which may also be potential link partners.
well, nofollow, me no writing for free … 🙂
This is a good idea. Rotating titles and submitting. After all we need to get in search engine results not just for few key phrases but their synonyms as well.
I think now a days google loves writing. Plain and simple. Content is king. Copy scape is super popular and yahoo changes way to much.
Its the future. Content and writing.
Proof that Directory Submissions work and how!…
With Directory Submissions in the line of fire and people shying away from it, there has been a general misconception that submitting to directories is harmful for your site. Here’s proof that it it’s not harmful, but in fact works well!…
Coupled with some of the major directories a steady trickle of directories as offered by Directory maximizer is a good way to mix up your links. Just don’t expect it to work its magic on its own.
Proof that Directory Submissions work and how!…
With Directory Submissions in the line of fire and people shying away from it, there has been a general misconception that submitting to directories is harmful for your site. Here’s proof that it it’s not harmful, but in fact works well!…
You need back links to create link popularity.
Link popularity is crucial for search engine
rankings. And one way to do link building is through directory submissions.