Hello guys. This is my first post here. I'm a newbie to the whole Submit to directories thing. My question is: Does the title that I submit with the URL have to match the actual title of the website? I noticed that the titles of many high-ranking websites do not match. Thank you in advance.
Normally the titles do not have to match (but there are some directories who do require this) Remember the title you use will be your anchor. So choose wisely and vary the title a little from directory to directory.
Ok, another quick question. I have submitted my site to about 50 different directories by now using the same title. Will it be regarded by search engines as duplicates?
It would be a good idea to write up at least 5 different titles and descriptions. Put them on a notepad file or similar. Then when you are doing your submissions you just copy and paste, Write up a couple descriptions that are around 500 characters so you will be able to take full advantage of those directories that allow that much of a description.
Well yea a variation of titles might be a good idea but id rather suggest you stick to one title to get even stronger serps on that specific keyword
Another dumb question If the search engines see it as duplicates what can happen then? Will they punish my website or the links from the directories?
The search engines will not see it as duplicate because of the titles being the same. It just looks more natural for your anchors to vary. By the way whenever you get a chance submit a link to one of your inner pages (deep link) If you see that a directory is accepting deep links get a backlink for an inner page.
Sorry to bother again. When you say it may be better to stick to one title to get stronger serps do I still need to change the description from time to time?
Different titles and diferent descriptions ? I'm a newbie on this subject as well, and this is confusing me. If it is the same website why should we have diferent titles and descriptions ?