Question to other search directory operators

[webzenstar]

Like so many other web developers, I've purchased my eSyndicat PHP script and launched my own little search directory (using the "standard" categories that where included with the script).

I don't want to have a huge "googledex" but I figured that, over time, I might build up a nice collection of links — so to kick the business up a bit, I wrote to the people in charge of major SEO software and asked to be included.

To this day, I don't know which one did (include me) but, obviously (seeing the number of submissions), someone did!

So now, I have a daily task of sifting through lots of newly registered web sites to be included in the search directory... or not!

Why am I adding "or not"?

Simply because roughly 95% of the hundreds of submissions I get in my little search directory are semi-spammy, low-interest, pretty much valueless, ad-infested web sites (or worse, web "pages").

The worse part is that the spammers don't even make the effort to choose a relevant sub-category (out of the thousands offered), they'll just register in "Business" and expect to have their spammy sites listed at that level.

So I'm still very happy my little search directory is getting a few very good and relevant "normal company" web submissions, among the bulk of valueless "landing page-like" submissions I receive.

I'm keeping my directory free and I'm wondering if this may have anything to do with the slew of semi-spammy sites I get... hummm.

What I'd like to know from other seach directory operators is if they're seeing the same thing as I am, submissionwise?

Thanks for your insights on "the operator side" of the search directory business.

[reiko]

Moved from Directory Announcements & Promotions.

[MrCat]

Those are good points. Other might think that by putting up a directory, they would instantly earn from it. They don't realize that keeping your directory well-maintained and categorized is really hard work.

We go about reviewing (as much as possible) each site submitted in our directory. We reject spammy looking sites, porn related, hate sites and other immoral sites, re-position them to the right category, etc. So much work indeed. We experience this even if inclusion in our directory are paid, lols.

I would suggest that you place a review fee so as to lessen the amounts of spammy submission. If you want to keep your directory for the long term, this would definitely help as well.

[Obelia]

This is more or less what you can expect, whether or not you have your directory registered with submission software. You should be able to cut that percentage down by installing good filtering systems, but even so you will still end up rejecting considerably more websites than you accept if your directory is free. The fact is that there are tons of really rubbish websites being created and promoted, and there's not a lot you can do about it.

Changing to a paid model might see your spammy submissions drop to around 10-20%, provided you also inform people that your directory has turned paid.