Are Web Directories Dead?

[Steven_D]

directories were useless to everyone except those that owned them. People dont think hmm i need a widget, i know ill google search a good widget directory then ill search that for a widget, thats retarded.

Most directories have a couple of hundred + links in them, and their visitor numbers will never even get close to that.

Im in pleanty of directories but I only ever get traffic from one, but I would never consider submitting myself to a directory, I have better things to do.

[Skinny]

Im in pleanty of directories but I only ever get traffic from one, but I would never consider submitting myself to a directory, I have better things to do.

I've also experienced this. Unless you are shelling out great cash or something to be put in some amazing directory the ROI is pretty slim even if you are paying nothing.

You can submit hundreds of links to directories and get a small trickle of traffic. And since Google is punishing these directories it's really not worth it from an SEO perspective.

Skinny

[Nima]

Directories are really not meant to bring traffic back, its mostly to rank high for your targeted terms,

[Steven_D]

Originally Posted by Nima

Directories are really not meant to bring traffic back, its mostly to rank high for your targeted terms,

but its not like google is going to count the link as a "quality" link from a "quality" and "related" site, if anything I bet google counts them as neutral or shit neighbours, as we have seen from the PR downgrades, and also, because of the fact they have no info and thousands of outgoing links.

burn them all.

[sitetutor]

Originally Posted by Nima

Directories are really not meant to bring traffic back, its mostly to rank high for your targeted terms,

ok but that would mean spam, right?

[bochgoch]

I think directories as a species of website have taken an evolutionary turn, not dead, just evolving to survive...

[Comenius]

I agree, directories are helpful for pushing your keywords in the SERPs, but I don't think you'll ever get much traffic from them.

That said, there are a few niche directories that are solid and do provide decent traffic, but those are few and far between.

I think if you have a solid niche directory it can be profitable to operate, but that's about it.

[Limtex]

Dear skinny ,directories still not dead these work in serps.

[cher]

I submited my site to 100 pr4-pr7 "free" directories. Hardly get any confirmation or acceptance emails from them. Time wasted. maybe if I pay
them , they will do it.

[x3mario]

Originally Posted by rankland

Im a local and regional bidding directory, my serps in google, yahoo, and everyother search has stayed the same #1 so i dont understand what your saying as far as google dropping every paid directories serp. My paid directory is increasing in positions in the search, and alot of the key words im #1 in have 0 to do with bidding directory.

Google didn't detect your site yet but when time has come, there you can say that google is though.

[~DaRk-EyE~]

Are Web Directories Dead? Definitely not...
Still part of the SEO process and Directory Submission can help us in many ways...

[Adam Za7]

I don't think web directories are dead, I simply believe that the weak and useless ones are being weeded out. Its an evolutionary process of only allowing the well run directories to prosper and be effective.

[f1rm]

Are directories dead?

I'd answer that with another question: do you see DMOZ, Business.com or BOTW going anywhere in the near future?

Alan Johnson

[Cornbread]

Originally Posted by Skinny

I still am not sure. How many of you regularly use directories to find things.

I'm not talking about being dead as in non existent. There are tons of existing and new directories, but they are dead from a usage point of view.

Am I wrong?

Skinny

Yes you are right on track, directories I believe are a relic of the past. A time when search engines were just hit or miss. I don't think I have ever "searched" for anything using a web directory.

[TrafficLicious]

They're pretty dead in the way they have helped people find what they need. But they serve as good backlinks IMO.

[stacy131]

It's true, most directories are bland, not to mention blank. Whenever I submit, I have a hard time finding a category for the products that I sell (which are rare).

I'm not sure if they are dead, they at least look that way. I know DMOZ is not as buzzworthy as it once was...

[TechSup]

Originally Posted by stacy131

It's true, most directories are bland, not to mention blank. Whenever I submit, I have a hard time finding a category for the products that I sell (which are rare).

I'm not sure if they are dead, they at least look that way. I know DMOZ is not as buzzworthy as it once was...

Finding a category is not hard, simply typing in a keyword of where your site would fit best in will give you the sub-category results in the directories search form. This is where submitters lack at the most, and just submit to where ever causing their site to either get banned from doing it so many times or get their IP banned because of lack in taking time to find their right spot.

[rhyswynne]

It depends on how you define "paid".

If it's paid for review, then that's fine.

If it's paid for link, Google are after you.

[sizzler_chetan]

Originally Posted by rhyswynne

It depends on how you define "paid".

If it's paid for review, then that's fine.

If it's paid for link, Google are after you.

Correct..

Reviewing and selling link are entirely different meanings.. and these judge our fate with google.

[wish71]

I know that 80% of directory are basically link farm!!

I saw myself.... I have submitted many........ got links...... SEO is better

THAT DOES NOT MEAN PEOPLE WILL FIND MY WEBSITE FROM DIRECTORY

People will find easily my website because better position.

So are directory dead??? Yes and No.... can be a tool.