What am I missing?

It seems Everyone wants to have a directory -

WHY?

Is there some benefit I am unaware of?





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You are right. I have recently started a site that ranks the best directories to submit to and I can't get over the number of directories there are. Even the list of new directories that started this month is stagering.

In response to your question, I guess people are starting directories because it is a successful business model that is easy to duplicate. The technology must be cheap and readily available.

 

Kinda like the 'M' kw - everyone gets in on a good thing so its worthless before long...

 

Yeah, why would someone use one directory over another. Though people do submit to directories all the time just trying to make their site grow some. I guess it would work. Directories are good to an extent, I think most are over-done. I know their simple and they work, but damn, there are a whole lot.

 

Another overlooked benefit of directories is one shared with forums. They generate their own content.

This is useful with things like the Coop Network where your weight is determined by the amount of pages indexed.

 

lol, yeah, it's easy to get new content. I'm thinking of making one as an addition to my website.

 

Most directories are worthless, there's really only a handful of them worth submitting to.

 

And those are?

 

I have ranked some of the best free directories here http://www.websubmissionking.com/free-directories.htm . This is still a "work in progress" but some of the top sites will provide you a fast high PR listing and/or high traffic.

 

What's your criteria? Do you check PR, static links or theme of the directory? I don't agree with you, and my directory submissions gained me backlinks, and better search engine results. There are tons of directories out there, of course some of them are not worth to submit but not MOST, IMHO.

 

Sorry, let me clarify. Every backlink out there is good and worth something, but sadly many directory owners don't promote their sites enough to be considered as an authority site,,which is kinda the whole point of directories (especially paid ones).

For free directories, I say submit to as many as possible. For paid ones, I say check the number of caches pages, check backlinks, check link popularity, check to see if they advertise anywhere etc.

 

Agreed thanks for the clarification.
Here's my topic about my new directory:
http://forums.digitalpoint.com/showthread.php?t=6652
So some directory owners are promoting their sites

 

Well put Shawn. Two of the main criteria that I rate Directories on is potential traffic and PageRank. For free directories, either one is great.

If you are submitting only 1 site at at time, I would limit the number of directories you submit to. But if you can submit more than 1 site then I find that the process can be very efficient and worth your time, especially if some of the sites are new.

 

even while I was looking at Microsofts directory - its poorly organized, leaving catagories with 5, 6, or more pages of links - with all but the first catagory page having no pr.

 

At least with the Microsoft directory you can add your listing to 3 categories. I suggest you choose your categories carefully.

 

What's the back end for the MS directory? Are they using Yahoo, DMOZ, or what?

 

The MS directory is made up of sites of subscribers.

 

Why pay for the privalege?

 

Sites of subscribers?

How do people find and use the MS directory?

 

anyone have a good list of free directories list?