Paying for directory inclusion
-
I just wanted to see what the general opinion was on paying for directory entries. How high should the PR be to justify paying for it? Or how much is justifiable for entry into a directory with a lower PR?
I have recently submitted my site to Yahoo Directory but I have only seen my rankings increase in the Yahoo search engine. Are there any directories that Google like?
-
Some directories are great.
An example is in the industrial marketplace and directories like ThomasNet. Thousands of companies pay ThomasNet to be listed in their directories where many engineers look for their services and get a great roi .
-
My experience with directories: I have 2 sites, one is in 3 directories (Gimpsy, JoeAnt and Galaxy) and it not in top 50. The other is on no directories at all but has a free eBook which is linked to and distributed in some other places and no less than 2 weeks later got to top 50 in google US for a bout 5 keywords, the highest being 23 (from not being in top 50 at all). I'm relatively new as are my campaigns.
I'm working on the free eBook thing for the site in the 3 directories, I really hope these directories aren't detrimental and it's just a case they aren't as powerfull!? if anyone knows?
-
I had previously been told that submitting to directories was the best way to improve your PR. I find all the other ways of creating backlinks rare - due to the industry and when I do find something of interest, the majority of the time it has a low PR so not really worth putting a link in. Also, we're in a position where we can't really create any new content on our website regularly - there isn't much else to say other than what's on our website.
-
I agree with @Anthony save your money and time. Directories are becoming less and less relevant and paying for a listing in one is showing reduced returns.
-
Save your money and your time. Put them both towards creating something of value on your website. Pay a designer to improve your best piece of content. Pay a writer to create a new piece of content. Do it yourself with your free time.
Sadly, sometimes Directories can still work. However, it is not a safe, long-term tactic and you can get more value by putting your resources somewhere else.
SEOmoz has a list of directories that you can consider. http://www.seomoz.org/directories
-
Yahoo Directory entries (but depending a lot on location and niche) are still ok for referral traffic. Some US Yahoo Directory niches are still receiving a lot of traffic and the ROI on the entry can get positive.
I would't do it from an SEO point of view though on Yahoo or any other directory. Some very "good" directories got penalized by Google for passing PR so you are on the safe side if you keep away from it.
No follow links from directories are good though - you balance the follow vs no follow ratio so that can also help.
-
It's dependant on what the directory is. Yes Google doesn't like paid links, but some customers may still use online directories so from that aspect they are good. Look at a directory and see whether they are ones your customers will use.
As William Lau said, Directories, for ranking, don't work as well as they used to anymore.
-
Directories don't work as well as they use to anymore. Don't forget Google doesn't allow paid links, for that purpose, you can see their stance on paid inclusion.
But if you are insisting, many users have agreed that Yahoo and BOTW are the better directories.
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
-
Tons of Links from Low-Quality Image Directories?
Hi Mozzers, I've been receiving a ton of links from low-quality websites that look like image directories or search engines? They are displaying the images that are hosted on our own website. They all seem very similar. Has anyone experienced this and are these harmful? Should they be left alone or disavowed or..? Here are a few examples: http://myimagecollection.net http://pix-collection.com http://theimagess.org/ http://123coolpictures.com etc. Thanks in advance!
Link Building | | SylviaH1 -
Paid directory links
Just going through my competitors back links, and discovered a couple of directories who charge a small fee for a listing (£20) (one way link) or a free listing (with a reciprocal link) they both have PR of 50 so I was wondering are these type of links still worth it? Best wishes. David.
Link Building | | WallerD0 -
Are niche directories still helpful as good links to have to help ranking in the serps?
Are niche directories still helpful as good links to have to help ranking in the serps or has Google discounted directories? The Niche directories that i would be using are not spammy at all and are quality sources of info. Thanks mozzers!
Link Building | | Ron100 -
Why does my aged Yahoo Directory listing not show up as link in OpenSiteExplorer?
A site of my is in the yahoo directory (3dprinter.net). It's been there for a long time. I just went into OpenSiteExplorer to see where the link ranked, and it's not there. Why would not not show up? And if it doesn't show up, is it even worth my money to do for other sites?
Link Building | | bizzer0 -
Automatic Directory Submissions
I was talking to someone about automatic directory submissions with someone lately, and would love the thoughts of the community here. Basically, the thought was that automatic directory submissions wouldn't get flagged by Google, because they're directories, not necessarily spam links. Is this still true in a post-penguin world? He hasn't seen any negative effects from it yet, but I'm still cautious. My thoughts would be not to depend on the automatic submissions, but to use them as a supplement. If a handful (maybe 50/mo) of directory links could be submitted automatically, that could free up more time for content development and promotion, which is where I believe the real value lies. It would also help skeptical clients feel better about having a certain number of links. So, what have you seen so far? Is this dangerous, safe, or fairly pointless?
Link Building | | DeliaAssociates0 -
'Pay With A Tweet' - Yay or Nay
Is this system a good way of creating social signals? If you have something of value maybe a eBook, does using the 'Pay With A Tweet' system seem like a good one? The only thing I can think of that would be negative is if they paid with a tweet and then after removed the tweet. Cheers
Link Building | | activitysuper0 -
Can we submit our website irrelevant directories and resources?
Hey, Can you tell me if it is a good practice to submit our website to a "quality" but an irrelevant web directory? For example, i run article writing service, so it is good to submit my website to a directory that's not about article writing services? Thanks in advance! Mohd
Link Building | | Sizmic0 -
Directory Submissions
Hello All. Our site has 17,000 links from over 300 route domains but none from directories. Using open site explorer i've found tons of paid and free directories but Its so time consuming manually submitting. Is it better to take the time to check each directory manually or should I look at some kind of automated service? Cheers Todd
Link Building | | toddyC0