What was the last directory you used (not for linking building!)

Hi,

If you're willing to share it, I'd be interested to know what the last directory you used was as a user looking for something, rather than link building (or even just the type of directory it was).

I'm trying to determine when users might use directory (rather than search engines)

Thanks

 

I use DMOZ and Yahoo on occasion if I can't find something specific with Google. In addition, I use some niche directories on a regular basis.

 

You should do what I'm doing
Go to page 10 and start searching from there.



fastreplies

 

I use Hotscripts all the time for various reasons - not all of which are link building

Directories are great when you're trying to find a list of several websites relating to a single topic. Search engines are good for finding one or two specific pages - but if you're looking for an extensive list you can't beat a directory.

 

I thought I was the only one who used the start on page 10 method for searching. lol

To answer the original question, I use several niche ones at least once a week.

 

If phpclasses.org is considered a directory I probably use that once a month.

 

Thanks - that's helpful

I'm looking at doing a general directory - though it looks like people may find niche ones more useful.

 

It's not so much that users use your directory to start their search as it is about how users find your site via say, Google through indexed pages of from that directory.

I saw your other thread here asking about how much traffic people see from Directories as well. The reality is make sure you look at the "site URL" referrers, not just the referrers in your logs. Often times people do not necessarily find you by querying a directory directly, but rather by searching for you in an SE. Amongst the results they may come across your site in the form of an indexed directory link.

It should be fairly obvious that most internet users do not start their day at an internet directory. However, the results they find are often times there because a well organized, categorized and indexed directory is within those search results.

 

- Thanks Mia, that's certainly something to think about.

When you say "indexed directory link" do you mean that a user searches for a search term on Google, sees a listing for the directory in the resutls, clicks through to the directory, then clicks on one of the directories links?

Or do you mean that some of the directories own links to sites (e.g. cloaked urls) could actually appear in search engine results?

 

Not necessarily. I'm merely indicating that search results in the way of referrers are often times misinterpreted, or not understood properly. Sure, 20 referrers from a directory vs. 20,000 from an SE is a huge difference and its easy for those to get lost in the fray.

 

To further Mia's point about putting directory traffic in perspective - there's a professional directory that sends me perhaps 5 or 6 visitors a year. Almost every one of those visits led to an inquiry for my services and several have led to nice projects. The traffic that directory sends is highly targeted and I wouldn't trade it for a second for 20,000 SE visitors coming to my site for a variety of non-business generating reasons.

 

Thank you for putting into words what I was unable to do! Well put, and spot on! Thanks!!!

 

Directories that I visit regularly:

CiteSeerX.ist.psu.edu
Infomine.ucr.edu
Intute.ac.uk
BUBL.ac.uk
IPL.org


Also used regularly:

DMOZ.org
dir.yahoo.com

 

Further to my previous post - and missing the obvious one - I use Info Vilesilencer which is, of course, a directory of directories. But @ OP - don't start another list of directories, there's too many copies of this idea out there already.

 

I use JoeAnt.com.

To search for sites, and because I'm an Editor/Staff member there ;-)

Hugo

 

I use Dmoz almost daily and Hotscripts when I'm looking for scripts and other established directories.

 

I used to use Dmoz but now they seems to be almost dead.