Most directories do not allow submitting to Top Categories. I do so, in some of my directories as well. And thinking to move the Top ones to sub categories. But I don't know why. Just thinking to do that because it looks like this is the right thing to do when I see other directories not accepting Top Category submissions... Is there an important reason for that?
Well back in the days, when Yahoo was a directory, it was important to have sites in most relevant categories. Because many people would find websites this way. Today, I don't think it matters that much. Many directories allow top category submissions, but charge more for it.
Like the above poster said, the main top level categories will usually be more valuable as they will generally achieve a higher pr than the sub categories so charging more or only allowing featured links there makes more sense.
They charge more by letting only featured links there but what is the point? The regular links are always under Featured links.
The point is that the value to the submitter is higher. If you pay to have your featured link in a top level category that doesnt allow normal listings there you will get more value from the link in terms of the page rank etc that it passes on. If there are lots of regular listings in top category too then its not so valuable.
I simply don't alow becouse i whant submissions in relevant chathegorys In top chathegorys only featured links perm for 10$ are alowed
Not just pr but also exposure. A site on a top category is more likely to be seen than one on a sub category.
Who cares about PR anyway, its like someone's age, just a number and not important. You want to submit to the most relevant category, for a higher quality more relevant link. If your site is on Beer Pong Tables , and you are submitting to Shopping over Shopping > Parties > Beer Pong Supplies because it is PR4 instead of PR2 / PR1, you are making the wrong choice.
Just installed yesterday dargre's mod to stop the free listings to be submitted on top categories. Having a free directory it means getting everywhere between 50 and 200 submissions a day and I just get fed up on moving them around. One thing that I've noticed...directory owners always submit into the right categories, all the others..pheww...dating sites into mathematics category and sports sites into Arts&Humanities...everyone goes for the main category
The problem is the way directories are so hierarchical, so that top categories tend to get far more exposure. Although there are ways to mitigate this, it's always going to be a problem when you have a category structure that isn't entirely flat. It tends to penalise those people who take the time to submit to the correct category, saving you the effort of having to work this out for them. Disallowing top category submission tends to make things fairer all round. Ideally you should find ways to link to deeper categories more extensively: feature some of them on the home page, or include the category on your list of "latest links", for instance.
Why should you submit to the top? It is most benefitail if your site is listed in the most appropriate catagory with other relevent links. Of course if you are site is relevent most of the directories will accept you as a featured link in top catagories. I certainly do.
think many are missing the point of what directories ARE ACTUALLY INTENDED FOR in the first place.... it started of as a place where ppl can go to find websites. Way back before google existed, many wld frequent yahoo directory to find the websites they needed. If i needed a florist, i wld go to shopping -> florist for example. If everyone submitted their sites to Shopping (top-level) instead, what wld happen? The shopping category will have a deluge of websites from all over the place and it wld be impossible for me to find my florist website! Thus, it is paramount for websites to be submitted to the deepest appropriate category in order for ppl to find the sites effectively. But with that being said, now directories purpose have evolved and i don't want to comment on that. But i like to stick to the fact that directories should be a place where ppl can find information easily and not just for providing reviews and backlinks....
if the home page has PR6 for example, the category pages may have PR5. to enable the 3rd level of inner pages to get PR, outbound links aka top level submissions reduce the PR juice to the lower category pages - therefore directory is not as strong hope that explains it