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I've found Google reader can be useful although it's going to be shut down soon. Also if you use a bit of free thinking outside of the auto-suggested ideas (nothing wrong with these), you're more likely to find what others miss.

Hi,

Exact match is best to base decisions for SEO and PPC. Broad Match records any search string which features the keyword/s you're interested in, plus any other words. These other words could be irrelevant to your search. Exact is where only the keywords you're interested in have been entered. Also pay attention to the region and language settings.

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.

Improving conversions is massively important, the great thing too is that no matter who you're working for nothing is ever perfect so there is always room for improvement. Dig deep you'll always find something.

Hi,

Exact match is best to base decisions for SEO and PPC. Broad Match records any search string which features the keyword/s you're interested in, plus any other words. These other words could be irrelevant to your search. Exact is where only the keywords you're interested in have been entered. Also pay attention to the region and language settings.