It seems to me that any directory that is free takes weeks-months to get approved, and some of these sites seem like they haven't been updated in a while. Is it still worth the time to do all this? Is this still a relevant way to do SEO? If not, what are some other options for free link building?
Well, it does not hurt. Find yourself a list and slowly work it till completion. I do like one a day, sometimes none, other times I'll spend an hour submitting. Like if I am down loading something, or the like or when I have time to spare. I am not 100% positive it's the BEST OF THE BEST, but it's better then nothing, especially as I can not currently afford paid alternatives. Article sites are often free and hold decent weight. Forum posting can boost traffic, SERP, and product recognition. Blog postings can often be a chore, but assuming you get a few comments approved, that too can be a boon. Nothing is free though, as all the options take time, and the higher quality that YOU offer, the higher the rate of success will be.
Time is of absolutely no issue. I have no problem doing something time-consuming if it going to be effective. It just HAS to be effective. You are right, submitting to directories can't hurt, to a degree. But if it is taking up my time and energy and not doing any good, then while it is not hurting the site, it is hurting me.
"They" say there is no bad link, and that every little bit helps. While directories will likely give little to no traffic, they will pass along at least a bit of PR, a smidgen of SERP, and will increase your overall backlinks. Though, quality should count for something... I skip directories that look like they were put up by a 40 year old living in his moms basement trying to make some change from adsense or the like. I'd like to think they do not hold a lot of power, but they do hold some... so go on and submit your site(s) to them. Just be sure that it's not your ONLY method of link building or you'll find they don't do much at all... Though, in combination with other ventures you'll likely be happy with their overall result.
Some good advice Qryztufre! Im about the same. If I have some free time i find a few big link directories and submit.... It can't really hurt, unless the other site has totally different content
If your free submissions are going to high PR directories, it probably will be months before your submissions are approved. Instead, focus first on new and low PR directories. They have a much smaller backlog and have fewer competing listings. Normally speaking, links in new/low PR directories are indexed quickly by the search engines. You can also try social bookmarking, especially to inner pages with good content. Besides backlinks, you may get some traffic as well. Check my signature for a list of free web directories and social bookmarking sites.
I've had good success by just slowly pounding through one of the various free directory lists out there. After about 6 months my sites start working their way up the serps. Just make sure to vary your link text a lot.
submitting to directories doesn't hurt as long as its not eating up time meant for more important marketing strategies... or at the expense of writing content, etc.
I use to use directory submitter to submit my sites to those free directories, and I think it's still worth to do so.
Directory Submission does not hurt your site. it helps you but dont use software, do it manually. If you want try to use SEO Form, it helps you a lot. Search in google "SEO FORM" applicable only for mozilla firefox. Thanks
Well for me its a total waste of time, there are lot of other ways which you can get high valued links, But as for the word FREE..........you will get what you pay for.
great tools you've got there.. that can make submitting easier.. I think lots of people are on to free directory submission.. to think that it can increase your back links.. I used to submit our company site to 10 free directories a day.. but, usually I join different forums and be apart of it.. in that way aside from learning I can also increase the back links of our company site..