Does the SEOmoz Suggested Directory List Need to be Updated?

[MadeLoud]

So, since Google updated their link schemes page (http://support.google.com/webmasters/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=66356) with avoid using "Low-quality directories", I've been thinking a lot about what makes a directory "low-quality".  Obviously, this is important, or Google wouldn't have mentioned it.

I was wondering if someone could explain to me how some of the directories suggested by SEOmoz at http://www.seomoz.org/directories are NOT low-quality, specifically some of the ones marked "General".

The page lists stuff like busybits.com, for instance. One that I guess many are aware of, and yea it has a high home page PageRank, and it's got some history, and it's human-edited, ok great.  But does it actually add any value to anyone that's not just looking to get a link? A page like http://busybits.com/Business/Others/2/ having (dofollow) listings like "Phone cards, Calling cards" "Insurance in Canada" .... ect. It just looks like an SEO backlink hub.  No value at all to a user trying to discover new sites/content.

Anyway, back to my main question, how is something like this NOT "low-quality"?

Thank you

[MadeLoud]

Yea, no one.  And even if it is a niche directory, you still have to be careful I think.  Just because someone took their General directory and decided to split it out into 50 "niche" directories doesn't means it all of a sudden holds value.

And I'm thinking the niche directories that have added real SEO benefit for me in the past, might not (to that extent) in the future.

[ORob]

I think you raise a great question.

The only way I'd probably consider a directory at this point is if they are directly related to my niche AND they provide more value in general site content combined with an active social media community. I would want to watch their social media and make sure that people are actually using the directory/site. Google is about users, and for the most part - who is using directories unless they are undoubtedly adding value to a niche.