Further to the discussion regarding Site Titles I thought I would share a simple technique that I use in identifying the editing standard of a directory. It is by no means comprehensive, but it can give a quick indication of whether the editor of the directory is actually doing any editing. It's called the Hydraulic Test, named so because we search for that term on a directory and, depending on the quality of the editing, we are generally confronted with a slew of poor quality listings. SITE TITLES are in green DESCRIPTIONS are in blue NB: the URLs aren't actually part of the site title as they are listed here, that is just the way the particular directory returns the search results, so I have left them in black as they aren't contributing to the problem. Search Term - Hydraulic Now you might think that those are simple rejections, but if we take a list of 10,000 free directories, my bet is that 9000-9500 of them would contain all of those listings and far worse ones besides. If you have any of these listings, as is, then you have failed the Hydraulic Test. My suggestion to any free directory owners who have failed the Hydraulic Test is to go through your directory and clean out any listings of this type, because right now you are giving creedence to the claim that most directories are link farms. Also, it is rather ridiculous to state that you accept quality listings only and that you are a human edited directory when you have many of these listings currently sitting in your directory. My suggestion to any paid directory owners who have failed the Hydraulic Test is to heavily edit any of the entries where you believe the website is legitimate, and to reject/remove those whose websites aren't legitimate (generally the spam is a dead giveaway). For those who think those are good listings, there really is no hope for you, but in the off chance that you do decide to listen and change your ways here are a few tips: (1) Long lists of keywords/keyphrases separated by commas is not considered a good or effective Site Title OR Description. It is considered spam. (e.g. UTB 650, Tractor, Tractor Parts, UTB Romania that's only half of that particular title and that is 100% spam) (2) Separators within Site Titles, generally means that the submitter is trying to obtain 2 or more titles within the 1 title. (e.g. see the example in (1)) (3) Using the same word more than once in a Site Title, and more than 2-3 times in a Description is tantamount to spam. (e.g. Fiat,Tractor Parts,Fiat Tractor,fiat spare parts,Fiat,Tractor,parts,Tractor part - ) (4) The use of commas without spaces is generally considered to be poor punctuation that should be edited. (e.g. see the example in (3)) (5) Random capitalisation of the first letter in words is also considered to be a poor use of punctuation. (e.g. Fiat,Tractor Parts,Fiat Tractor,fiat spare parts,Fiat,Tractor,parts,Tractor part) (6) Descriptions that aren't already complete sentences should be edited to form complete sentences. (7) Duplicate entries should never make it into the directory in the first place - most directory scripts whether custom or commercial will have a duplicate filter. So, whenever there are two or more of the same entry, you should remove the duplicates. (e.g. listings 3 and 4 for Fiat above) Those are just a handful of basic guidelines that any editor should know as second nature. There are more extensive reviewing skills that they should also have in their arsenal. Now, Hydraulic isn't the only term one can use. There's plenty more. Here's just a couple that also yield poor results. Search Term - Kerala Search Term - Offshore So, do you pass the Hydraulic Test?
Online forex trading With a user friendly interface, bottom low spreads, impeccable execution and the latest forex analysis tools, eToro is the only way to trade forex online. Play this online casino Play your casino games at any time, anywhere at the Blackpool Club, with the latest flash technology. what you think about this two... i not sure it's pass or not .... please give me suggestion...
Online "forex trading" With a user friendly interface, bottom low spreads, impeccable execution and the latest forex analysis tools, eToro is the only way to trade "forex online". @mikey : thanks for reply, do you think forex trading is the spam keyword as you said above?
Excellent post and great quick test. Thanks. It would be nice if there were less spam directories so the good one don't get penalized with the masses.
My bet is those same 9000 - 9500 directory owners would not not even see or read this post, so the practice will continue.
Well Pete, since they obviously did not take the time to see or read the submissions to thier directory I think your right. As far as the test - AD is not free but has no results for either of the terms you use above. I can't imagine ever approving examples like you list above.
Well, not anyone would pass a tractor test, that's for sure. But hydraulic ? Surely with directories you have a choice what to include, so you should not complain if you've done it yourself
a gr8 post. ... (but long!) major problem being there are 2 kinds of directory owners! one who run a directory like a link business, and then there are people who run a directory as a directory! only the latter will implement and dig in to editing their submissions! Thanx M.
The whole title was keyword spam. They are targetting "online forex trading" - as its a very popular term.
Silencer your concern is appreciated but i really dont think the folks that need to see this will ever see this sadly. Its being read and noticed mostly by the wrong people. Also you are showing signs of being a bit of a train spotter of the directory world.
You're mostly right, but if it helps a 'noob' or converts just one person, then his time won't have been wasted. (edit: 'converts,' not 'coverts,' as I originially had it)
That's right. If nobody starts useful threads with this sort of advice how will people learn? I remember advertising my first free directory in solicitations and receiving hundreds of submissions, and even though I had some standards I'm sure I accepted many crap sites. I consider myself a savvy directory owner now but it's mostly because of the help and information posted on this forum over the years.
@DownUnder - No doubt you are right, but if I went through the list of directories in the solicitations and announcements area, many of which claim to be quality I think I would find it difficult to locate many that are worth spending the time submitting to - hence the post. Well said, and another reason why the post was made. Why should directory owners be supporting link farm owners? A directory that doesn't edit, *is* a link farm. People can try and disguise that all they want, but it is the one real reason why directories (regardless of intent) will get discounted down the line. @pipes - you'll have to explain the trainspotter comment to me, I'm not really sure what it is that you are getting at. Speak plainly @Artifexus - converting would be good, but I doubt that is going to happen in great volumes. However, since the people that posted in this thread obviously can see this as a "derrr really" type of situation, then why do they stand by and allow it to continue. I am simply pointing out the obvious. I've taken steps to not promote those types of "directories", has anyone else done the same? That is probably a more important consideration to be taken from the post... @syted - That is just it, a new forum member could be mistaken for thinking that accepting bad sites or bad information is a good practice. Worse still, just blindly accepting everything and not editing. Where are the posts that clearly outline what is wrong with a directory? Where are the posts helping new users to get started on the right foot? Good directories benefit everyone, bad directories benefit no one.
Ahh, that's just it; if bad directories didn't benefit anyone, then you wouldn't see very many. There's definitely incentives and low barriers to creating a bad directory.They benefit bad site owners and owners of bad directories.
Sorry i didn't realise it was mostly a british thing, thought you would know. Referring to someone being a trainspotter of anything means way too deeply into it, too much time on their hands, overly involved, consumed by the interest.
You crazy brits! I wish I had too much time on my hands, but you are right I tend to be deeply involved in it, so it can be hard to see the forest for the trees sometimes. Perhaps a long break is in order Now I just need to find a getaway destination...
I'm not game to walk in there at night any more, but compliment your post and others have said if it helps one it helps us all in some way.
Dan, nice practical post. Even though this thread is close to 3 years old, it is still applicable today. The sad part - The industry is still revolving around this kind of burning issues. My specific question that I am posting here was a dilemma for me yesterday when I was editing my directory. I will throw this example here so that it benefits every one. Submission site: cheapcarinsurance.co.za Title: Cheap Car Insurance Obviously the keyword is bit odd. Though the site is not great in the world, it looks decent. Has a decent PR and decent traffic. Now what would be the best title for such websites? Mostly these submissions are not company or product websites. These are niche keyword websites with the keyword in URL. I haven't found a way myself - After much thought I edited the title to "Car Car Insurance by cheapcarinsurance.co.za" If you have better suggestion for this specific type of keyword submissions, please let us know.