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
-
NoFollow & Directory Scraper Backlinks
I was wondering how important it was to remove/disavow: NoFollow backlinks - many ("buy viagra" etc). Directory backlinks - many questionable/generic directories. Obviously the focus is the equity passing links but both of the above constitute a significant proportion of backlinks to the site - I've seen that "scrapers" are seen as natural and obviously NoFollow do not pass link juice - but does the sheer number have a bearing and therefore make them equally important to address? Thanks in advance for your responses. Regards
Link Building | | National-Homebuyers0 -
Is Infographic Distribution Still OK?
Hi Mozzers. I'm designing an infographic to be used in conjunction with a report we've compiled. It's a really strong story backed up with good data. We're planning to do a bit of PR activity around it to hopefully get it in some very authoratitve publications. On top of this, to maximise the backlinks that we're able to build I've been considering posting it on some (possibly all of the infographic sites) listed on Paddy Moogans blog post about infographic distribution. Would this provide any benefit or is it likely to get me penalised in some way? Are there any tips/advice you would give to do this? i.e. link to a mixture of different pages, use non spammy anchor text? Should I limit how many infographic sites I distribute it too? Is there a maximum total I should consider or even a maximum number of infographic links I should build per week/month? Anything else I've not considered? Thanks in advance David
Link Building | | OctopusHR0 -
What else still works (other than awesome content)
Hey guys, I'm sorta at my wits end here. I know that some link building methods (such as private blog networks) used to work before the latest Google update (Penguin 2.1), but I have evidence that it's not working any more. At least not with the private blog networks that I used. So, my question is if there's a sure fire way to quickly and efficiently build back links nowadays? Do private blog networks still work for you? If so, which ones? If not, what do you use instead?
Link Building | | VinceWicks0 -
Why does GWT still show some links from a disavowed domain?
We have disavowed a lot of spam links that were pointing to our website. We've disavowed on a domain level and a lot of links have now disappeared on GWT. However, there is a domain that we disavowed where MOST of the links have disappeared in GWT but there are STILL some remaining even a month and a half after disavowing. The disavow file has been sent in numerous times since then with new domains. Is there an explanation as to why some links still remain on this domain even though most of them have been disavowed and removed from GWT?
Link Building | | ResumeGenius0 -
Some inbound links which i have removed long ago, still showing in GA and in Open Site Explore, how do i remove them from their?
some inbound links which i have removed long ago, still showing in GA and in Open Site Explore, how do i remove them from their?
Link Building | | vikram19790 -
Which of example gives more link juice in linkbuilding?
Which of following examples will give more juice for page in link buiding? 1. Quality phones <a href="">nokia</a>, low price.
Link Building | | ATCnik
Simple text around anchor 2. Online shop of nokia phones. Also free service for <a href="">nokia</a> phones.
Relevant text around the anchor 3. Online shop of nokia phones. Where to buy <a href="">nokia</a> phone?
Relevant text around the anchor + Interrogative form 4. Online shop of nokia phones. How much is the <a href="">nokia</a> 5230 in USA?
Relevant text around the anchor + Interrogative form + Regional binding1 -
In the Yahoo link directory you can submit paid or free, which do you use?
Has anyone here had any luck getting Yahoo to pickup links submitted through the free option? How long does this generally take? Or do you usually just pay the $300/year on your clients behalf? Or do you get your client to cover it? I couldn't direct link the page because you have to in a directory when you hit submit, but it looks like this screen shot: www.glitchhopforum.com/images/yahoo.png
Link Building | | adriandg0 -
What article directories (if any) are still worthing posting to?
While article marketing my not be at the top of the SEO strategy heap, it has, thus far, had a place small place at the table. In light of the Panda-Farmer-Anti-Demand-Media-Content update, I'm re-thinking article marketing altogether. Which, if any, general article directories are still worth adding content to in terms of links and eyeballs? Should these general article directories be avoided altogether?
Link Building | | Gyi0