Is directory submission just bad SEO advice?

I've seen a lot of SEO advice saying that you should submit to directories, but does it *really* work?

IMO this technique has been raped by spammers and mostly does not work.

Anybody seeing otherwise?

 

If you're asking if is it possible to achieve top positions doing directory submissions only the answer is no.
Use the directories to diversify your link profile and to improve your SERP and PR just a little bit.

 

zexy is absolulty rit.......agree with him.

 

It's little effect

 

Is like you are asking if it is link building a bad seo advise.
The answer is of course no.
BUT you have to know or at least to try have quality links pointng to your site either they are from directories either they are from normal sites.

 

Directory submission shouldn't be excluded from an SEO campaign. It should be part of any SEO strategy, just not the only part.

 

I dont think so,some directory could take backlinks to you,but i think the directory need very famous.

 

Most directories don't send much direct traffic. But getting listed in some quality directories increases your backlinks, which can improve your rankings in search engines, so that they send you more traffic.

 

Sometime you tend to get penalised like the 950s and suchlike for over SEO direction submission might be one, but directory is submission is better than no IBLs.

If you have a site with some NON-Reciprocal Non-Blogroll type One way links, then by all means ignore directory submission like the Plague.

But for geeneral content sites with average content, directory submission is one way of building IBLs.
I have sites with 2K uniques where I have ranked only through directory submissions and a couple link exchanges.

By the way I like your phrase " raped by spammers"

 

Yes it does work in many ways, it continues to work.

Spammers rape everything else, why not directories?

I dont know any marketing method that doesn't get abused.

 

Directory submission is very important and it should be done on daily basis. Directory submission is the best way to gain backlinks for your website. Don't just submit to thousands of directories in one day instead submit to handful amount of directories every day.

 

i know somebody who knows only directory method and in small niche
its working #1 in G so its keep works even google keep denied it ;]

 

as a web directory webmaster,
my advice is submitting quality directories only.

 

Well it definitely works, i would advice you to submit your site to new born directories in order to achieve maximum approval ratio.

 

It is still useful. The directories like dmoz, yahoo, joeant, skaffe, etc are the quality directories. These directories increase ranking and backlinks too.

 

Zexy and Pipes have given some good points. You might want to try it yourself with a throwaway domain and 200 odd directory submissions. Takes less than $50-60 worth of work and you know the truth that directory submission is a good SEO techniques. Many directory owners put a lot of effort in making sure that spammers don't get to abuse the system.

 

Yes dude its possible to achieve top placement with "only" directory submissions. I have achieved amazing results, in various niche.

You must know the right way and technique.

Being in directory industry specifically from 2006 I do understand it from its core.

 

Some very good advice here! I guess there's always going to be different opinions about directories and their worth, but it seems they are an important tool in the search for increased traffic and search engine rankings.

 

its the cheapest form of links one can get
and it can still do wonders in non-competitive niches

but usually don't advise it on its own, but combined with other techniques of link building ...

 

If you have the time (I do), submit to directories as one part of a multi-faceted link-building effort.