Do Directory Submissions Still Hold Any Value?

[digitalseo]

Reasons Why Directories Hold No Value

Here are some of the main reasons why gaining inclusion in "certain" directories will not benefit you in any way.

* No Traffic - The directory itself generates very little useful traffic. This is due to the fact that the amount of people that actually use the directory is dismal.

* No Substance - The directory is sparse of actual content. There may be a lot of category pages but very few listings included in them.

* Not Indexed - While the main page and a few of the main category pages might be indexed in the search engines, many others are not. If interior category pages aren't indexed, they have no ability to pass any link juice to your site.

* Low PageRank - Google PageRank isn't everything but it does count for something. For example, it is much better to be among ten listings on a category page that has a PageRank of 5 as opposed to the same scenario with a PageRank of 1.

source:searchengineguide

[x3mario]

Directory Submission can still help in PR and SERP ranking.

[tdd1984]

Originally Posted by digitalseo

source:searchengineguide

That was a good article and he does have a point to a degree, but what I think hes mainly trying to say is that directories don't carry as much value as they use to or it hard to find good directories in a way.

To be completely honest some of these newer free directories probably pass more value then directories that are charging the reason being is because the free directories are not selling links and all the popular directories are getting penalized and not passing any link value.

Either way we still submit to numerous free directories they work good I know people thats ranking on very competitive keywords by combing this with there current strategy or just use them for long tails along with other things.

[coolguy27]

Maybe it has low value but it really helps in SERPs.

[aira]

you can get inbound links from Directories


therefore, there's a benefit

[redeemer_spawn]

I must agree too., even directory submission lessen its value still it helps in rankings.,

[Avril]

Directory Submission still has a value, even though traffic is not guaranteed in here it helps to improve PR and SERP...Just choose a good directories, those quality one...

[~DaRk-EyE~]

Yes it does have a value...
Like most of the answers in this thread, It does affect PR and SERP rankings...
The only thing is that we must make sure that our sites are submitted in the related category...

[cEejay_01]

directory submission just decrease its value but still helpful in some ways,.
It can provide you a quality backlinks,.

[oxxylynn]

This site s SEO Friendly ?

[MrCat]

Nice article...

But you should have also included this: (quoted from the OP's source)

Finding Value in Directories

Now, I am not saying that all directories are useless. What I am saying is that one should do due diligence to make sure they are getting some kind of value by listing their site in a directory, especially if they are paying for it. Here are some things to look for when deciding on whether to list your site in a specific directory or not. And the list goes on...

Directory inclusions are still valued in SERP so long as you submit in the right category. PR wise, there are still some directory that pass on PR especially for newer sites. Traffic from directories are minimal but are very targeted. If you have inclusion on a number of them (quality ones), it sums up, you do the math.

Think of it this way: Site A and Site B have all things equal (niche, number of backlinks, outgoing links, onpage factors, rankings, etc.) - whereas Site A decided to make submissions to 100 quality, high PR directories and Site B just decided to watch his fave TV show, lols. Who would you think would do better in SEO?

[mit]

Directories Submission always helps in getting more backlinks for your website and also Traffic. 10% traffic for my website is from directories.

[e_marketing_india]

Originally Posted by x3mario

Directory Submission can still help in PR and SERP ranking.

I love playing mario

Directory submissions can help you gain higher rankings on both Google, and Yahoo.

Google is tightening its noose around various websites, and several of these poor directories fall victim to it.

Yahoo on the other hand still gives importance to number of back links towards any particular website.

[guna]

Directory submission certainly helps for new websites

[enam]

I prefer submission to social bookmarking sties over directory submission.
Submission to social bookmarking sties is easier and needs no approval. These sites also gives more traffic than directories. It also helps to improve PR and SERP.

[coolslko]

Originally Posted by coolguy27

Maybe it has low value but it really helps in SERPs.

Well.......however it takes time to get listed in some popular directories but directory submission still help in terms of SERPs in log term.

[Futo]

They may not be as effective as in the past but i would say it is still worth submitting to directories.

[arturobraganza]

Originally Posted by digitalseo

source:searchengineguide

I think that's right, directories may give you low quality results. That's why others do not benefit those methods of optimization.

[dman_2007]

When compared to backlinks from good sites i agree directory links don't hold much value, but if you're not getting any backlinks from those sites, and you've picked your target keywords carefully, then directory links do hold value.

[Hafsoh]

Directories can help with anchor text and to rank certain key phrases. Directory traffic are minimal but they tends to be targeted. Just submit to quality directories and those with high PR, then avoid submitting to the ones that require a reciprocal link...