Are web directories losing their significance?

Discussion in 'Directories' started by Boardwalk, Oct 22, 2007.

  1. #1
    I noticed that not a lot of people are building directories any more (and if there are, they're building directories on dropped domains).

    Are web directories losing their significance? Is it because of Google's paid links penalty?

    Here's a blog post which further explains my thoughts...

    I want to know what you think about this. Please leave a comment if you have some spare time!
     
    Boardwalk, Oct 22, 2007 IP
    sachin410 likes this.
  2. britishguy

    britishguy Prominent Member

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    #2
    Building directories on dropped domains is OK but if they come with a PR its a NO NO, as it is misleading

    Unless of course you MAKE 100% CLEAR all your intentions with full transparency in BOLD LETTERS EXPLAINING EVERYTHING VERY CLEARLY

    Remember you are a service provider and that means be HONEST :)

    Your link pictures are in bad taste and show disrespect :eek:
    I did not read and WILL NOT READ THE TEXT
     
    britishguy, Oct 22, 2007 IP
  3. mister charlie

    mister charlie Peon

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    #3
    Your choice of pictures in your post is in pretty bad taste.

    I didn't even take the time to read the post after seeing the "Web Directories Going Boom" pic.
     
    mister charlie, Oct 22, 2007 IP
  4. stoner3221

    stoner3221 Notable Member

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    #4
    True directories are as significant today as they were 9 years ago. The only difference I see is link farmers have had a serious crop failure.




    Your article reeks with ignorance and the picture is beyond words.
    :mad:
     
    stoner3221, Oct 22, 2007 IP
  5. slwebsolutions

    slwebsolutions Peon

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    #5
    They still serve a purpose... The links are just not as valuable plus they normally don't bring any true traffic outside of link building. An informed webmaster understands that they may build a directory and promote it when it could become worthless eventually. This is why I think they are not growing as much. For the amount of time it takes to build a directory and promote it you can build a quality site and sell advertisement.
     
    slwebsolutions, Oct 22, 2007 IP
  6. Bernard

    Bernard Well-Known Member

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    #6
    There is a lot of truth in this statement IMO.
     
    Bernard, Oct 22, 2007 IP
  7. coolweb

    coolweb Notable Member

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    #7
    I believe he used that kind of image as he was having intention to get quick popularity and tried to start great sensation around.
     
    coolweb, Oct 22, 2007 IP
  8. bobby9101

    bobby9101 Peon

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    #8
    I don't knwow hwere you're rfom, but using the twin towers is very insulting to me as an American.
     
    bobby9101, Oct 22, 2007 IP
  9. MeetHere

    MeetHere Prominent Member

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    #9
    Web directories will not loose any importance.
    Infact my directories are doing well enough :)
     
    MeetHere, Oct 22, 2007 IP
  10. adnan

    adnan Peon

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    #10
    Definitely that was not a good moment in time, and should be remembered & referenced in a different manner then this.

    Did u know that Link Farms are actually defined as computer programs which generate pages automatically.

    They were created I think in 2001 or 1999 to manipulate the Inktomi search engine.

    Seems to me a little different then a directory.

    wiki has a good definition of a link farm, that's where I got mine.
     
    adnan, Oct 22, 2007 IP
  11. malcolm1

    malcolm1 Prominent Member

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    #11
    We may have our different opinions on certain things but you always manage to
    teach me things and others in the directory industry. thx 4 that ;)

    I believe this persons view is one off someone whom doesnt know..

    Quote: Sites aren’t getting what they really need — link juice and better search engine rankings.

    You aren't supposed to be chasing the "Juice" but rather the most relevant
    category
    pertaining your site as that in the end will be just one factor that moves you up in the SEs.
    It shouldn't matter if the category is 3 levels deep providing its what your site is all about.
    Free directories or paid dont matter BUT i believe that a niche directory will do more for you.
    though a general directory that offers the same category shouldn't be disregarded so quickly..

    As for the better SE rankings...

    Penalized directories arent showing up in the ranking due to them being penalized.
    I could show you different but wont as im not trying to Disrespect any SE and have
    learned my lesson on "show boating" on thier serps... :eek:

    just my thoughts...

    thx
    malcolm
     
    malcolm1, Oct 22, 2007 IP
    Jim4767 likes this.
  12. stoner3221

    stoner3221 Notable Member

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    #12
    I have been dealing with link farms since before search engines. They have evolved in many ways over the years. The most common I used to see as an editor in the 90’s was a page filled with affiliate banners and no original content. For me at least the term link farm for out of the box directories works well. Any other term I might use for them would probably be moderated out.:eek:
     
    stoner3221, Oct 22, 2007 IP
  13. mywebsearches

    mywebsearches Peon

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    #13
    Do you have any idea of what your doing with that picture? There are many other picture to choose from, why this one?

    Show some respect, please.
     
    mywebsearches, Oct 22, 2007 IP
  14. stokelake

    stokelake Peon

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    #14
    thry lost their importance as a way to find the best websites a very long time ago. Once algo based search engine started producing good results directories were dead in the water. All that was left was to link farms and milk the SEO community for money.
     
    stokelake, Oct 22, 2007 IP
  15. stoner3221

    stoner3221 Notable Member

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    #15
    That has been an opinion of many and on the other hand many consider a human edited directory a good source for quality information. It’s a debate that I’m sure will never end. Those that feel directories are dead in the water probably have no justified need to be in a forums directory topic. By the way, if I had to rely on the SEO community for my living I would be eating a lot of beans. LOL :)
     
    stoner3221, Oct 22, 2007 IP
  16. DownUnder

    DownUnder Well-Known Member

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    #16
    If i sat 12 people in front of me, all of them would be experts, all of them would tell a different story, and all of them would be right.

    I suppose we all must take it in and make our own valued judgement.
     
    DownUnder, Oct 22, 2007 IP
  17. mediahost

    mediahost Active Member

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    #17
    Directories really have no need besides to give links to the sites that need them. That is what starts them. Google lowering PR does not mean that they will lower in Search Engine Results and so they do not lose significance.
     
    mediahost, Oct 22, 2007 IP
  18. syted

    syted Notable Member

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    #18
    I should imagine any reader of your blog you have left after them seeing that image you used will be even more insulted by you posting an anti-directory post immediately after a post awarding 3000 directory submissions as a prize.

    You should take your own advice:

     
    syted, Oct 22, 2007 IP
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  19. bobby9101

    bobby9101 Peon

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    #19
    +rep, it's funny how hypocritical some people are
     
    bobby9101, Oct 22, 2007 IP
  20. malcolm1

    malcolm1 Prominent Member

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    #20
    heheheh good find....:)

    i didnt even bother looking at anything but the post :eek:

    thx
    malcolm
     
    malcolm1, Oct 22, 2007 IP