Are directories still an option for linkbuilding
-
I know that after the recent slate of Google updates, many free directories got taken down. We've typically used the list of directories placed on SEOmoz (www.seomoz.org/directories). Before adding a site to a directory, we always check to see if it is indexed by Google.
Is this still a safe option or should directories be avoided?
-
Eric,
Sure. If there are barriers to get in a directory, that will help prohibit many "spammy" type links. So a barrier made be a paid listing (TN, MacRae's, GlobalSpec & etc.), a vertical directory (where only sites that are contextual relevant apapera) or any directory that are selective.
Personally, we have had much luck with ThomasNet (not so much with GlobalSpec). However, like you said, it requires a bit of work. If you have any questions about TN, let me know as we have used for many years.
-
I do some directory submission but on a small scale and only in local, niche specific directories that I believe could bring us some traffic.
The biggest caution I would say is to be really careful about anchor text. If you've got a pile of directory submissions all using keyword anchor text then that could be a Penguin trigger. I mostly use my URL for anchor text now, with the occasional keyword where appropriate.
-
I have to disagree with the people that don't think they carry much value these days. Over the last month I have submitted my site to 5 of the referred directories on the seomoz list and this week alone I have had 4 keywords move up +13 +3 +8 +45. So I think they still carry some weight but I believe it really depends on how your entire back link profile is set up.
Think of it like a scale, if you have tons of junk links on one side of the scale, then you may not see any change because the bad links are weighing you down. However, If you have a good back link profile these links will carry more weight and help you out tremendously.
-
Great info, Michael. Thanks for the response!
-
Are you sure this is the 'Best' practice post panda/penguin?
-
er, contrary to some posts on here i'd say that yes, it still does play a (small) part in the overall mix.
Getting a listing in Dmoz no longer has the impact it once had, and getting listed can take an age, so submit to it and forget about it.
Most of the manually edited directories can still play a part, and more than anything getting listed in directories is a natural process for any website.
If you have already visited the moz list and submitted your site to them then good work, as long as you worked towards getting listed in directories that are specific to your industry then a job well done.
Keep moving along with your day to day seo efforts and submit to directories as and when you find a good, relevant one.
Further more, as you have probably already seen on the moz list and by reading other Q&A posts there are some paid directories such as Yahoo and BOTW (others are available) that for me have proved worthwhile when submitting to, and I did see a ranking increase as others have in the weeks after I submitted to them.
-
Kevin,
Thanks for your reply. Question, could you elaborate on "it its difficult to get in a directory". We've had good luck with Thomasnet; with their directory, the difficulty getting in is that they require a lot of information about the client. Is this what you mean?
-
We still get relevant traffic and good leads from some directories. However, we only use reputable directories in certain niches (industrial directories). General rule of thumb, if it's difficult to get in a directory, it's probably a good place to be.
-
Indeed the best practice is link exchange with good PR and relevant to your site. I totally agree Matthew Marley you don't get too much value this day using that technique.!
-
I would only look at the likes of dmoz, local and maybe niche directory's
I dont think they carry much value these days.
Got a burning SEO question?
Subscribe to Moz Pro to gain full access to Q&A, answer questions, and ask your own.
Browse Questions
Explore more categories
-
Moz Tools
Chat with the community about the Moz tools.
-
SEO Tactics
Discuss the SEO process with fellow marketers
-
Community
Discuss industry events, jobs, and news!
-
Digital Marketing
Chat about tactics outside of SEO
-
Research & Trends
Dive into research and trends in the search industry.
-
Support
Connect on product support and feature requests.
Related Questions
-
Still seeing older links
We have recently updated all our product page titles on our website to something more descriptive for our Google Shopping campaign. This was what was recommended we do by the folks at Google. Doing this causes all of the URLs for the products to reflect this change. The structure is as such: https://ourwebsite.com/bulbs/product_id/title. Now when Moz provides us with our weekly crawl report we see a load of duplicate page content errors (roughly the same amount as the number of product pages). I don't quite see this as a coincidence so it must be a consequence of having updated the titles. My question is why is Moz still crawling our older links? We no longer link to any of the pages with the older URLs so why are they conflicting?
Link Building | | TrueluxGroup0 -
Linkbuilding backlinks list to linkpartnes embed in website?
We do backlinking for clients. And for this we also create a backlink page for linkingpartners (afcorse not all link have a backlink). For easy maintaince it would be handy if we can create a page on our server that is embed on the website of our clients. Is it possible to do this so there is no negative SEO? (google will rate this page and the content perfectly) best regards, Vincent
Link Building | | Aquaster1 -
What directories do you guys recommend to pay to be listed?
With so many in the web is hard to decide what directories are worth it... Anyone has suggestion? Thanks!
Link Building | | ewiart0 -
Wordpress Child Themes Still Effective?
Do you feel creating Wordpress Themes With Your Branded Keyword Is Still Effective? Since, the recent change was wondering if footer links should be avoided. Also, what are some good places to submit your developed themes to?
Link Building | | deaddogdesign0 -
Which directories to use?
I've recently has a conversation with a colleague regarding which directories to use when link building. In her opinion we should use only the ones that are relevant and nothing else. For example if you're working on a travel website, you should only submit either to travel directories or local directories (based on the business location). In my opinion yes we should submit to these directories but then you'll reach a limit and then you need to submit to general directories that have the "travel" category, even if the business is in NY and the directory is in India, as long as it is a good directory and has the relevant category. What is your opinion about this?
Link Building | | blablabla20130 -
Directories for backlinks
Hello, I was wondering whether directories are a good source of creating quality back links? Thanks
Link Building | | PeterAllen910 -
My Yahoo Directory listing isn't being indexed by Google - what do to?
I couldn't find this elsewhere in Q&A...so here goes. I recently (a couple of months back) shelled out $300 for a Yahoo Directory listing. My site got included, but my PageRank didn't budge. Figuring it may take a while, I kept on checking Google's index for the link - still nothing. Now it seems as if some Yahoo & other directory categories are excluded from the Google Index, rendering the links useless from a PR point of view. Anything I can do about this? I've heard of suggestions like linking to the specific page of the category where I'm listed, in the hope Google will crawl and re-index, but I don't know. Any thoughts / suggestions? BTW the directory category link is: http://dir.yahoo.com/Business_and_Economy/Business_to_Business/Communications_and_Networking/Telecommunications/Wireless/Software. Thanks in advance...
Link Building | | dusanb0 -
Yahoo Directory Link Question
Recently two of my clients purchased a listing in the Yahoo Directory, but they don't show up in the SEOmoz campaign analysis. Is there a reason why?
Link Building | | thriveseo0