Looking at all the thousands of directories on the web I am thinking how effective is it really? If I was working for google I know I would make Directory backlinks useless or have some tracking on which directories are really "legitimate" (that could be different discussion topic on its own) It seems anyone can get hundreds of backlinks from directories in one day! Also is it true that if the actual backlinks that is placed on a directory page with no PR that that backlink is useless?
I guess one way to know for sure is you could conduct your own experiment and see what the outcome is, the time would be an investment and the knowledge that you gain would help you in future promotions and you would know truely if you think its worth using directories.
i guess it also depends on what you are looking for from directories? Typically general type directories generate very little traffic, however there are some that can generate qualified and relevant traffic but there are many variables.
thebeacon, from my own experience submitting to 1000-1500 free directories wont really help, its a waste of time, the search engines are not stupid. the ratio of web directories links should be reasonable and submitting your website with the right anchor text to (30 to 60) quality paid directories and Niche directories will help you achieve much better rankings. i run a Seo business and i own a network of paid for review directories, i helped many DP members achieve top 5 and even #1 positions in google just with my network of directories, so yes quality directories definitely work.
For me, I have found that doing directory submissions is not about the traffic you get from the directories but the PageRank that you can get, Traffic from about 95% of the directories is minimal -Dan
You may get some PR from directories but its a quality backlink to help your exposure for SE's as well. If the quality of directory your submitting to is high enough for Google to respect somewhat, then it may help both. But these days, PR is not too big it seems anyway.
Let me know about your SEO business. I highly doubt that you can archive position in the top 10 for the market that I am in. If you can you will be my best friend .
alright i'll send you a pm, so its a hard niche according to you ? thats interesting because i love challenges
You can get to #1 using free directories with pages in the supplemental index. PR is irrelevant and you dont get walk in traffic. Niche community traffic maybe but it takes a long time to get recognised.
I believe that directory submission should be used as part of your overall link building strategy. Submissions alone won't get you to the top.
Based on your response I would assume that link building using directories has been working out for you well. Specially if you have a portal for your directories. Great looking directories by the way
Hi thebeacon, im having positive results from directories, currently on a site not directory related. Unfortunately the links in my sig are not my own, i have directories but not in my sig.
I had some websites and still have some that are ranked on 1-5 on Google for very competitive search terms that bring 500-1000 visitors per day for one main search term only. For these websites, 95% of backlinks are directory links, so in my book directory links do work. People who say directory links do not work go for directories links only to get pr and do not target any keywords or they say that based on what they heard.
It can be very effective. I'm a webdesigner who also offers a directory submission service. As an example, I have a client who has a site that we built to sell a book he wrote. I submitted his site to about 30 high-quality free directories. Not just any directories - but ones I've found to be reliable & of good quality over time. I submitted his site to these 30 directories on September 19-22. His site (brand new) is now found at #5, #9, & #23 on Google for the keyword phrases we used in the title in the directory submissions. Aside from the directories, the only other link to it is from my webdesign site. I expect it will rise in the rankings when I get links to it from more high-quality directories. It does work. But it's not the quantity of directories (don't bother submitting to thousands, most of which will benefit you little, or none) - it's the quality. best, Denise