The end isn't near, the beginning is near. The beginning to visitor satisfaction. We have to bring the human side back to directories.
Haha! I know what you mean pipes. Those companies like Tesco wipe out the small shops. I work for tesco so i'd know Bidding directories will never die while im around I dont think phpLD is going anywhere fast... I wish the end of QBC crap was near. These dropped domain scams are ruining things... Yeah, you seem to know what you are talking about. Build sites for users, not for search engines. If people followed that MFAs wouldnt exist.
I think small niche directories can thrive. But they will have to provide more than just a sentence of dup content. Maybe reviews or advice about the sites listed for example. Some of the directories that got hit have some original content tho, so who knows?
I strongly believe irrespective of Google,directories will stay alive. Because SE's can't judge a quality of site where as directories can judge a quality of a site. Directories should move away from the notion of providing backlinks.
I really don't see the end of directory!!!. In fact I created a few directories for the reason that directories had, have, and will have a great future. I would encourage to create your own directory now that the "competition" is just beginning. Internet will bring more challenge to this industry and now is the time to take this advantage (First Come First Serve). Google has its challenges as we do with our directory, just lets focus what's best for your customers and your directory. For a moment let's think about other big island not explore yet: Countries, languages, niches in many topics, etc. Just in the Hispanic world the internet is just very very new and directories/non-directories that established their presence during this time will will have great opportunities in the future. Google will not always be the #1 search engine, we have yet see new and more powerful search engines. Who knows if that search engine is your directory today. So come on guys, just wait and let the facts speak for themselves. For now all that I have read are "OPINIONS"
I'm sorry guys, I just don't see the end of directories. This whole thing started because one guy mention it and a few directories are missing in action from Google search. Did we ever think that they did something wrong. Just because they have a big budget doesn't mean that they did everything right. Is Google going to ban dir.yahoo.com? they sure as hell don't accept listing for free. How about all the other bid directories like yellowpages, switchboard etc,. I think we should stop speculating and keep doing what we do best. This phase will only eliminate those that thought that "If you build it they will come" webmasters. Unless I hear it, read it and see it from Google's pages, nothing will change here.
techspy, please read the post before making comments like that. I said that most directories will die, I never said directories with big budgets or that charge for a review are going to die.
OOPS!!! I didn't know I wasn't allowed to voice my own opinion. I thought this was an open board. My comment was general and not quoting you. You're not the only one talking about the death of most directories. It's a hot subject right now. I'm just saying that there are no concrete proof for this mass hysteria.
I appreciate everyones feedback, but in my post, I am not saying that all directories will die. In fact I am saying directories will come alive.
We probably need to give it some more time before we can declare for certain that Google is dropping directories from its index, I've said it before that it goes against their ethos of providing relevant search results if they don't return, for example, Alive or Aviva for searches that are clearly aimed at them (a search for 'aviva directory' for example should of course mean Aviva is returned at number 1 if Google is truly about relevant search). I think a clearer picture will be available to us in perhaps 2 or 3 weeks when SERPS have settled, and we can then see if there really has been a directory culling or a simple blip in the SERPS.
Good post, the one's that will be left will be the ones that have already stood the test of time and already do provide quality traffic.