Is directory submission still a valid practice?
-
Hi Guys,
I have few doubts running in my mind on directory submission, do you think it is still a valid practice in link building?. If your answer is "YES", then please correct me..
-
How submitting to directories is a natural link practice?
-
According to Google, links should not be purchased, it should to be created naturally, but if you see, a lot of high authority directories charging amount from people to index links, why Google not stopping those directories (I mean penalizing) and stopping the people who are trying to get indexed by paying.
-
According to me directories holds only bunch of links to some external domains (I hope I am not wrong), then how submitting to them can bring rankings to me?.
Sorry, if I sound stupid in any of my points, but expecting some good answers from you folks..
-
-
"bunch of URLs which doesn't have even a single inbound link to them, but ranks #1 on Google for so many competitive keywords" ... competitive keywords ranking at #1 without ANY backlinks? I find this hard to believe, but I'll be happy to be proven wrong. Share some?
-
Yes, I think it works in some cases with the actually benefits of relevancy and authority of directory we going to take link from in the specific related category we might think a good FIT for us.
-
Bear in mind there are different types of directories. For example human edited directories. My testing seems to support these are defo valid. Without taking what Google recommend too literally, there is also a question of relevance and the fact that there is a marketing world outside SEO. For example if promoting a restaurant in York, a link in a directory of restaurants in York may not necessarily count in pure SEO terms but it would be unwise to not include.
In my view and experience certain directories will help SEO as part of a balanced mix of links.
-
Hi HDDEPT,
Just wanted to pop in and add that in Local SEO, directory listings are not only still valid, but are the core of citation building which is one of the main practices of Local Search Marketing. In this specific area, Google rewards rather than punishes inclusion in local business directories.
-
Honestly, I am not insulting your intelligence, but do you think they really rank higher because of those directories?. I have bunch of URLs which doesn't have even a single inbound link to them, but ranks #1 on Google for so many competitive keywords. If I am not wrong, then your links are ranking because of your page's content. Please correct me If I am wrong!.
-
Yes it's honestly still a valid practice. I have multiple keywords that rank number one on both Google and Bing where the only links are coming from directories.
-
no it is not. it doesn't work anymore.
-
If it is a valid practice, then how it is natural?, according to Google a link should be acquired, rather than created by a webmaster himself (Am i correct?), then how directory submission will satisfy this condition?. Also how a directory holds authority if it doesn't have great content, instead it was just stuffed with few bunch of links to some external domains?.
I agree with you on the local listings part, because local lists help find people about the local businesses (people might be naturally want to search there to find the local data accurately), but web directories works on the concept of indexing anything..
I believe in what I see, and whenever I search for something on Google or any other search engine I found some great useful blogs or businesses website with great content inside them, I never see any directories in those results (at least in 99% of the cases).
Please correct me if I am wrong!,
-
Yes in my opinion directory submission is a very valid SEO practice however there are ethical ways to do directory link building and the unethical/borderline black hat methods. Adding your client in sites like local and national directories related to the client's subject matter expertise is a recommended method for link building. A good list is the one recommended by SEOMOZ below:
www.seomoz.org/directories
Kurtis did a great post on this topic that you can read here http://www.seomoz.org/blog/web-directory-submission-danger
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
-
Should I add my company website to Applegate a free product and services directory?
A colleague of mine has been sent a marketing pack from www.applegate.co.uk - is it good SEO practice to use free directories, or are these days over?
Link Building | | Catherine_Selectaglaze0 -
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 -
Paid Directory Value
Hi All! Recently we scaled back the number of paid directories that we use for our clients, mainly due to them being devalued. To select which directories made the cut, we looked at things like Domain Authority, Page Rank, and Trust; all of the things you're supposed to be looking for in a quality link. We even used the list of directories here on SEOmoz as a reference. Two of the directories we use are Yahoo and BOTW, both of which seem to draw the ire of many professionals here. Is there something I'm missing? If these directories have solid numbers, why such backlash towards them? I appreciate any insight you can give me! Frank
Link Building | | FrankSweeney0 -
Yahoo Directory inclusion of Spanish Websites
Hi everyone! I was wondering if anyone of you know if the Yahoo Directory accepts Spanish websites. My website has its 100% market in Mexico, so i havent seen the need to put an english version of the site. I dont know if i can accomodate my site under regional or something in order to avoid translating the ecommerce site. Or i must put an english version of the site. I would deeply thank your comments. Thanks,
Link Building | | JesusD0 -
Why are reciprocal links still being used widely?
Looking at my competitors backlink profiles they all seem to have lots or reciprocal links and banner exchanges etc... I thought that only one way links really had any value. The reciprocal links they do have appear to be pretty spammy but the sites are still ranking well? Should I be adopting reciprocal links and banner exchanges. I know these strategies worked years ago but surely not in 2012?
Link Building | | SamCUK0 -
Best Relevant Directory submission software
Hi Guys, Is there any really good relevant directory sumbission software out there?? Or am I just wishing for too much here! There must be a good sodtware tools out there where I can submit my property website to relvant property related directories with a jit of a button! Any help of poing me in the right direction would be very helpful! Thanks! G
Link Building | | GAZ090 -
Directory submission after Google panda update
I am very much concerned about directory submission after Google panda update. I have few questions in this regard 1- Should I submit the home page URL or deep links in directories? What is better practice? 2- Can I submit more than one link in one directory? What are the consequences of submitting both (home page and deep link) in same directory? 3- Should I start directory submission aggressively or I need to take care about the quantity? Regards
Link Building | | shaz_lhr1 -
Exact match domains still work??
I'm sure this has been asked and it also has been answered but I'd like some insight from another SEO as to why this site -> <cite>www dot newhomesglasgow.co.uk/ </cite> is ranking on the first page for the keyword(you guessed it) 'new homes in glasgow' OSE shows about 4 backlinks. Is it just the content on the page(that's jammed with keywords) and the matching URL? Any feedback would be appreciated 🙂
Link Building | | DanHill0