Are Web Directories Dead?

[dotservant.com]

Link building
------------
It is only worth submitting to those that survive the google penalties, otherwise it is not going to benefit you but might even pull you down.

Traffic
-------
Pretty much non, not even Yahoo/Google directory are serving that now.

[spyrochan023]

I dont think web diretory is dead.

[-MGS-]

Originally Posted by Skinny

It seems to me that the only people that use directories are those submitting to them (and by use I mean submit).

I am a webmaster but I know that the general public probably never uses a web directory to find something (and if they do it's very minimal perhaps a directory added onto a useful site).

Google has inevitably IMO killed paid directories by lowering their SERPs.

I know many people have and profit from directories. But looking at things from a pic picture point of view. Aren't directories dead?

Directories to me are like a library is to the internet. A library only has so many resources while the internet allows you to access a lot more.

Search engines have been the popular method of finding information and no longer using web directories.

The only place I see a directory being successful (actually being used by the public) are for extremely niched topics or added onto a site that is niched.

Am I way off base? What are your thoughts?

Skinny

I remember the days when I setup DO Forum, Directories were what everyone wanted but now they have been so over used, Google hates most directories, so does MSN and Yahoo as well know.

Directories have been over used and I think it does not help with most of them looking the same with using PHPLD etc, I remember when directories were all unique, coded from hand, no one was the same, But now, 95% of all the web directories are the same format.

I think no matter what your topic, if you start a web directory, let's say today, your going to be SPAMMED and it will be pointless, AVIVA and Alive invested a lot into their directories and to a point it worked for them, but it will not work for everyone.

Its a shame to see how directories have turned out, Its one of them now, you have got to have a web directory, your portfolio is not complete without one. Another novelty taken, and don’t think I hate directories far from it, I pioneered one of the major directory forums. I am just sad to see how its all turned out, the world changes very quickly and the directory area is vastly a dry investment as the market is saturated with them. Give me $10 and I could have a directory with 5,000 links within a month, thats how simple it is and it should not be that easy, you should have to work for what you get.

Well that a long post from me

[lloyd.velarde@gmail.]

I do believe that Web directory still exists especially it still has importance to many webmasters!

[Himalayan]

A new website is listed in search engines and directories first to make it familiar to the online network.

[Dollar]

Its really the only way to get links yourself without spamming.
Directories = Yes we want your links!
Blogs, forums sigs = Your a spammer your banned.

[sitetutor]

Originally Posted by Limtex

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

edited for correctness

[MrCat]

Traffic from directories may be minimal but they tend to be targeted. Having your site listed in the apt category also helps in SERP.

Choosing quality directories that are well maintained should really be a concern. Be the better judge and check the sites listed in the directory you are submitting to - if they are crappy sites and if they are listed in the right category.

Just avoid directories that look like link farms and those that require a reciprocal link

[arcel]

i don't think so.
for sure many here is still using this method.

[nalds20]

directory is not dead... it become bigger and bigger

[sitetutor]

yes web directory very is good in serp and google no smart can figure out good trick with rank.

web directory no dead! ...