I read some where that Google is not taking backlinks that come from directory's into its new algorithum, so my question is - "is directory submissions dead?" Share your thoughts...
Directory submission has been dead for almost 10 years, its just taking people a long time to realize that. Back in the early days of the internet, back before search engines, there were directories. The main one was Yahoo directory. If you wanted to find a website, you went into the yahoo directory, and looked through all of the categories. Then along came google and the rest of the search engines. And then directories died. When I first opened my forum I submitted to every directory I could find. This was almost 3 years ago and I probably submitted to over 100 directories. And today, not a single link from any of those directories shows up in my google webmaster tools, or yahoo site explorer. Directories are like any other website - most of the close before they are a year old. So why waste your time submitting to a directory only to have it close a month or 2 later? Directories (like a lot of websites) are a fly by night industry. Meaning they could be here today and gone tomorrow. I am not going to waste my time submitting to a directory only to have it close. Most directories want a recepical link, which I would give. And then it would take 1 - 2 weeks for my link to be approved? I dont play those kinds of games. If I give a link to your site, you should give one to mine within a reasonable amount of time, not 2 or more weeks later. As for myself, I stopped submitting to directories a long, long time ago.
Its definitely not what it used to be... And although there are a few directories out there with strong PR and thorough indexing, the vast majority of them are overfull of external links and don't have the proper inbound juice to really help you out. To top that out, Google seems able to completely ignore directories that: sell links, don't editorially review submissions, or are otherwise "shady" in that they don't conform perfectly to the SEs imagination of what the web should be. Finding a good directory takes way too much time IMO - you're better off writing a nice piece of link bait and submitting to a bookmarking site. Maybe the links there at a social site don't matter either, but at least lots of people will see it and possibly pass it along or blog about it themselves.
I am still submitting every new site with a submission tool, and I was wandering whether it has sense. It is true that I have never seen any link listed back to any of the sites.
I just spend a little time every day submitting to directories. My google webmaster tools back link profile has many web directories in it so I figure it's worth the time. If you focus on niche directories or high quality general directories you'll get more bang for your time.
Yes they are dead, but some people may still want to do it because they would do every single little things that would help their ranking but taking into consideration time spent > ranking efficency it's not really worth it today.
I don't think it's really dead. There are still quality directories out there where you can post your link. Just choose the ones with good reputation.
This headline has been popping up every week or so. Not again... OK. Let's destroy this myth once and for all. No offense ~kev~ but judging by your post you know very little about Web directories. 1. Submitting to ONLY 100 directories? Definitively not enough. How many backlinks did you actually get by submitting to only 100 dirs? I'll bet no more than 15, if that many. 2. Many directories have been here for years and they are not fly-by-night. 3. If what you said was true than how do you explain this: We get clients with no backlinks and no PR and they sites have been around for 6 months to a year. We submit them to directories utilizing about 30 anchors and many unique descriptions. Guess what? After 3-6 months they get traffic, PR, SERPS and end up on Page 1 through 3 in Google searches for many of the anchors we've created IN DIRECTORIES. How many Titles/Anchors and Descriptions did you use Kev? Directories are Dead? Fine by me. Those that know how to properly choose, what to submit and how to submit will keep doing what they have been doing - BECAUSE IT WORKS!
"Not a single link"? I'm not sure what you did wrong. My Google Webmaster Tools shows tons of links from directories I have submitted to.
I don't know whether it's dead or not, it's probably still effective, but I don't submit my sites on directories since long time ago.
It is note dead, you in fact need some good dir website that accept link fast and have a good pr as well.
I don't think dir submission is dead. you have to submit your link in do follow dir and a good PR dir as well.
I am sure directories are not dead. ~~kev~~, when was the last time you tried to promote a new site with web directories and monitored SERPs? You can check some sites yourself and see if directories are being listed.
None taken. A 15% approval rate is not worth my time. During the same time it takes me to sign up at a directory, set up a reciprocal link, and submit my link - I can join a forum, add a link to my signature and make several post. And I know that with a forum post my link is on that page right then - because I can see it. With a directory, it could take a couple of weeks to get approved. And then there is only a 15% approval rating? No thanks.
I haven't really submitted to link directories for a while. I don't think the average link directory would offer a valuable link, BUT it is still a link, and as mentioned above, if you vary your anchor text and description it certainly won't harm you. I think it's probably best to mix it up a little. Obtain links from link directories, article directories, answer sites, forums, blogs etc. This way it will appear more organic and you aren't putting all your eggs in one basket. Just my two pence worth. Andy
99% of all directories out there are useless. Just take a little time and find some good one, they are worth the time and effort.