I say the (without reading this whole thread) that the contest should be laid down like the following. Everybody creates a new directory to enter. The directories are rated at the end by: Number uniques (traffic) Page rank (very important for most directories) Amount of traffic sent to sites inside Design Quality of sites inside Ranking of the directory for the link: http://www.directorycontest.com ---------- Anything else gives a hugely unfair advantage to existing directories.. I would imagine that for this contest to attract a large amount of people it needs to be completely fair instead of slanted towards some of the large directories (which have trust already).
Where was everyone with these suggestions when Mike was asking for them? I think y'all are a couple of days late.
I also think the sites should be recognised backlinks and not competing in the serps with the site the directory is promoting/supporting [url='http://www.google.com/search?q=link%3Adirectorycontest.com+-site%3Adirectorycontest.com]link:directorycontest.com -site:directorycontest.com[/url] Fair comment - but I'd understood from Mike when he was planning it that it would be to see which directories performed the best for the people being listed - and not a SERPs comp. It would be interesting to see how each of the directory software packages fare too.
He started this thread 24 hours ago I think. Shouldn't be too late, though perhaps the discussion was on his forum?
The goal of the contest is to find the directories which are the strongest, so we can all get an idea on which ones are liked by Google. The new ones won't cut it. I am interested myself in knowing which ones will be up there and which ones are left behind. We have so many directories, I think it's time to see which ones will hold up.
I have no problem with a sponsor entering with a directory that isn't listed on the page where I have all the sponsors. I don't see how Jeff is getting any advantage that no one else can't get. If Sevenseek wins, it won't be because of Jeff being a sponsor with Aviva, but because of it's power in Google. I want the best directories to be up there, and I think since Aviva can't participate, Sevenseek should be able to. I'm looking forward to some really good competition here. And having directories which have been well established for years and are liked and trusted by the major search engines compete, will make this competition only more exciting.
Personally, my reason for submitting to a few paid directories, is to get instant credibility in Google for clients' sites. And most directories don't give that to you. It's not really about which directories get promoted the most, but which ones Google likes. I think a lot of directories here will be a huge disappointment, just because there isn't that much benefit in getting sites listed in them. We are all after Google, which is why a lot of webmasters pay to be in those directories. I personally see a lot of fear in a lot of directory owners, fear of getting their directories exposed as not being as beneficial as they would like webmasters to believe that they are. Like Phynder has said before, I think the best thing for every directory owner would be to work on their own directories, enter the contest, and then let Google decide which directories are really it.
Agreed google is the biggie, and is one of the reasons I have a preference for high PR directories. Another reason I would choose to pay more for a directory is that the directory has real traffic who actually go to the sites.
Don't get me wrong I am more than confident that index-it.net will be in the top 10 of this contest. I was just pointing out that if sevenseek wins then Jeff would not have to pay anything really which once again would really only make this a $400 contest. And you are right that only the strongest should be up there whether it be new or old, just making my point on who will win this thing hands down. Anyone want to make a bet.
You know that Jeff is entering SevenSeek into the contest? Perhaps Jeff can comment on this. By the way - I am a sponsor and don't plan on even entering my directory - because it SUCKS.
I guess I do not see the point here. What difference would it make? If a sponsor wins, then more power to them. If they win, they get to save a bit of sponsor money, while the next 9 get to cash in on what is left. If a sponsor wins why is that unfair to anyone else? You didnt win, and therefore would not have gotten the prize. I think the meat of the comment I quoted is this. Some do not want sponsors to enter, because they know the ones sponsoring have very strong directories. By disqualifying them, it increases everyone elses chances.
I know the numbers are not a 100%. I'll just keep my month shut from here and wait to see what happens. This will be alot of fun indeed. See you guys at the finish line.
We'll see how that goes. Having PR and being cached is only part of the story though. It'll be interesting to see if the backlinks do follow...
I thought I heard my ears burning! First of all, if I actually do win a prize, I've pledged to give it to charity: http://forums.digitalpoint.com/showthread.php?t=173674 So, I'm not keeping anything for myself. Second, I certainly don't think Sevenseek is a shoo in. For instance, I understand Wowdirectory is entering the contest as well, which I would certainly view as stiff competition. I'm sure there will be other major competitors as well.