It was 2 - 2 1/2 years ago that I did most of my directory submission. I am going to guess that most of the directories that I submitted to are now closed. A couple of months ago I submitted to some more directories, and those links are still not showing up. But like the other guy said, directories have around a 15% approval rating. So I would have to submit to well over 100 directories to build up any real backlinks. And at that rate, I would have to submit to literlly thousands of directories to build up any serious links.
I can't imagine what kind of link directories you were submitting to... there are a lot of them that have juice for the submitter.
That's the Idea. If you do it yourself, yes it's a pain, but if it is done for you, that's a different story.
I am going to help everyone out shortly with some great answers and even some really helpful information about automation with article directories, such as my 8,236 Massive Directory Index list.... I am just completing a post and setting up my how to guide on the automated article submission process.... Stay tuned and you will learn a couple things, hopefully
I know what you are saying but i will have to disagree. Backlinks are very much needed as of today. The key is to find the trust worthy once.
No it is not true, Directory Submission is a Fantastic way improve your Site Keyword Ranking. For Example, If your Website Page rank is 3 So, try to Submit your website in those directory who have a Good PR Like 3, 4, 5, 6 and so on, If you try to submit your website in those directories who have Less Page Rank as compared to your Main Website it is Totally Useless. I don't think so Directory Submission are Dead, It's a Great Idea to pinging Google
I agree fully and here is my quick post verifying some of the benefits and misperceptions of directory submissions.... let me know what you think and remember I said I found a great article automation tool, which can sort the 1100 + directory sites within by PR... this was a $170 value that I was able to get for a demo copy working for about 6 years (free)... very simple I will be giving that information away later this week after I write the how to guide... I think this is a great topic http://blogging-to-make-money.com/h...te-directories-as-successful-marketing-tools/
I think DMOZ is one of the most important site you have to submit your site... aside from that... you can submit your site to directories only when your site is new just to give it some links...
As many people have said, it depends on the quality of the directory. I have had many sites move up in SERPs for targeted keywords even with just 300 directory submissions. Directory submission should be one of many techniques however.
Generally directories are not what they used to be. But the business is far from dead. Now you have to look at each directory individually for quality before you submit your link.
No its not dead... but now google and other search engines are not just counting directories.. they have more options not to measure the value of a website....
Getting back link is never a worthless. whether you get from directory or any thing... But yes you must submit in good directories it is required for sure...
Freelistfool is right on the money! If you choose the right sub-category (mine is "weddings") -- you will see the links appearing at GWT, even if the link is "no follow" (most are do follow). I like the ones that organize their results (within each category) by PR. Since my site is PR 4, many of my links appear on Page One of the category, near the top. (Sites with a low PR, get buried on a subsequent page with less link juice.)
Well I know so little about this but I still feel I can post something about it. I have just started submitting to the directories. Here are a few rules I am following, let me know if any of them are wrong. I am currently doing 25 submissions per day, because I have read that if too many are done at once then the search engines and soforth can view it as backlink spam. I am writing different "description" for each set of 25. I am not about to write a different one for each submission, but I figure that for every set of 25 is reasonable. All forms are filled out manually. No auto submitter program is being used. Really this is not as hard as some people might think. I have my description in clipboard so I just paste it in each time and this saves a lot of time. I created an e-mail address just for directory submission because I am sure the address is going to start getting a ton of spam since I am submitting to 175 directories per week. That is all I can think of at this moment. To the person that said they submitted to 100 directories with very little result I have a few things to say. I mean no offence with this. Just my thoughts and maybe it will help some people. 100 directories may seem like a lot. I know that about a week ago 100 would have seemed like almost too many to me. However there are 1000s and 1000s of directories out there, so 100 in a relatively small number when you compare it to the amount that is out there. As far as the dreaded reciprocal link is concerned. Hmm Well when I started this I was going to create a page on my site with all the links but then it really sunk in just how much more work this was going to create for me. Having to add their link every time I submitted just seemed like too much work. So I trashed that idea after maybe 10 links and completely removed that page from my site. So far my experience shows that at least 85% (I think it may be closer to 95%) of the directories out there have three options for submitting your link. The options are as follows. Featured links $.$$ LifeTime or a certain amount of time like monthly or perhaps yearly Regular links free Regular links with reciprocal free (not sure why I would go with this one if I can get it for free without the link.) What is the number one reason I am submitting to the directories? The cost. I am willing to spend the time to submit to 1000 directories to get 100 - 200 or more backlinks and more traffic considering all it cost me is some time. I am not willing to spend the money for the "Featured links" because I do not expect too many people to even be finding my link directly on the directories. Well like I said, I have just started this myself but these are my thoughts on it sofar.
Regular links with reciprocal free (not sure why I would go with this one if I can get it for free without the link. journeyoftheanimals You would do that as a courtesy for the website owner as he is giving you a free link.
It's because the Free Link without a Reciprocal may take months to get approved, especially if a directory is a busy one. A Free Link with a Reciprocal will most likely get approved very fast. I think that's the only difference and logic behind this method.
Can you please share some of those directories to whom you have made the submission. I am finding it difficult to make submissions to free directories.