I submitted to directories but get no lovin back, they must be crap

All good and can see your angle and in that appreciate your thought, there is one element missing. You are putting all directory owners in the one basket and perhaps if you took the time you will discover among the many QBC there is also an army of good reputable directory owners who do not operate or think as you have described.

 

So now that this is clearly no longer the case why are you still with them? Congratulations on the applied maths, I'm not sure you read my post concerning algorithms and the fact they can never cater for word meaning or defining.

Of course its failed, and dismally. What you don't seem to be aware of us that some of us just might have been editors in there for very many years, me included, you just don't know it. It's in turmoil, it created too large a database without putting in place contingencies for being able to control it from the get go. This and this alone is its downfall and why directories who are prepared and have the resources can and will capitalize.

I for one would never use the RDF's of dmoz, certainly not the links or descriptions, they are now at least 20% inaccurate and full of fluff (ten references from one site to make up a category kind of thing). Check thoroughly the directory structure in my signature (especially deeper and you'll start seeing there is a significant difference, we made absolutely certain of that for logistical reasons.

You really need to stop tarring all with the same brush, not everyone is guilty of what your suggesting, if you took the time to look hard enough you'd actually see a pattern of the type of people who have been guilty of what you suggest but not all.

Better answer from you though, I'll give you that. What's your site? I'm sure after all the criticism you've given the ones I'm involved in you won't mind showing it.

 

Closed view? Little knowledge? I know he's right on the button and it's only one-sided (as you put it) because the qbc crew don't want to be discovered at ripping folks off. If they are, then the game is up isn't it. Well, perhaps they shouldn't do it in the first place, then they wouldn't get targeted.

DownUnder, you know why these general directories are set up for, and you, like I know which ones are doing it. Don't attack the guy because he's only highlighting what many know already.

 

DownUnder is a well respected member of this community, the point he was making was the WAY this person highlights certain points, not necessary WHAT he points out.

 

At last, someone with some smarts to stand up to what's going on. The term 'Quality' was a mystery to me for a while, and I thought it meant 2 things:

1. To only list attractively web-designed sites
2. Offer an 'exclusive promotion service'


This is rarely the case now. The entire point of anything search, is to give information and you can't do that efficiently with a severe lack of info based on pure exclusivity. The exclusivity concept is nothing more than an excuse to take money, and I don't believe many of these sites care about serving the searcher.

No resource = no visitors, and nothing of value to charge off of. Result = zero ROI and no business.

 

I know what he was driving at, and thought it was a bit below the belt. Also playing the 'respected member kudos' bit doesn't cut any ice with me Jamie, nor will it force me to agree with everything he says or anyone else. If points are valid then I'll automatically agree and give reference to that, as it should be with no coercion from anyone.

Anyone can be popular and still an arsehole - it doesn't mean their automatically right, not that DownUnder is one, but it's just my way of viewing things.

 

Well first it couldn't have been you that gave me the red for this post here as your not worth the points. There was no need to call anyone a**** I don't call you one even if you are.

BTW, do you want me to post about the charity bet you chickened out on?

 

Sheesh, wind it in.

Of course most normal web users don't use these directories to search or find things on the web, unless you had some reason to think that directory would answer your query (which would presumably only happen if for some reason you found that directory in a search).

My target market as a paid directory owner is not normal searchers - it's site owners, SEO's, webmasters and link-builders. And these groups generally know that it's worth $10 or $20 or whatever for a link/listing with a decent trust/backlink profile.

Most of these directories don't claim or aim to be an ODP like resource, apart from the cost - few people (I imagine) even use the ODP for finding things anyway, directories exist and search engines see them, but maybe most people are unaware of them unless they come up in a search.

Basically, there is a place for the 'capitalism is corrupting the web' view but it's probably not here, besides it's a pretty moot point.

The 99% of submissions you reject is what makes a good directory, in terms of SEO and relevance/quality working from the assumption that most sites submitted will not be very good (as is often the case). So a discerning owner is desirable because if you buy a link on a site, Google counts the other sites linked to on that page as similar/related to yours.

Your point about a resource being the opposite takes us back to the above, it's not a resource for laypeople it's an index of sites for informational purposes as much for spiders as humans. An odp level of resource that lists sites which aren't submitted then the links will be worth more because it'll be more unique, but the odp struggles to operate that model - so by going to these lower tier directories you accept a lower quality link for a higher chance of inclusion, and sure Google probably discounts the value in line with the quality - but obviously, that's why the price is usually not very high..

But with nofollow and whatnot maybe Google needs all these directories, since articles, editorial and contextual links are becoming more common especially in terms of paid reviews/posts (and the above no followed link sources like myspace, digg, wikipedia etc.) - so sources of link-based 'trust' and contextual information must be increasingly limited for Google..no?

 

Directories are like everything else in the world. There are quality directories and crappy directories. The low cost to entry for new directory owners multiplies the number of crappy directories out there...since everyone tries to get rich quick. This makes it harder to find directories that offer value to both webmasters and visitors. The webmasters (and visitors) that take the time to sift through the sand come up with some gems.

All the talk about web directories being worthless is good for the directory industry in the long run. Word will get out that you can't make any money running a directory because everyone finds them worthless. Slowly the get rich quick crowd will turn to selling on eBay or some other hot new thing. The rest of us will still be here working on our sites. Those of us running directories that provide a valuable resource know the "directories are worthless" line is a lie simply by looking at our site stats. We keep working on our sites and watching our traffic and revenue grow while the crappy directories fail. 10 years from now the industry will have consolidated to the point that you'll be reading the line "you can't make money running a directory because you just can't compete with the big directories". So please...for my sake...keep spreading the word that directories are worthless. .

 

You wind it in. It's baby link farms like yours that keep directories under the scrutiny of google.

Freelistfool, Great post, you said it, I'm betting link farms like the one in Sheesh's sig won't be here long, they come, they go.

 

All is good guys, what i was driving at EK was there is always 2 sides to a story, and the approach although valid from that one side, does not cover all sides making the claims unbalanced.

And yes i can see very valid points made, i can also see a lot of cowboys hitting the wall for this very reason within the next 12 months, and the days of the school kiddie spilling his chocolate milk all over his homework while approving the next 50 crap submissions in his junk farm for next weeks pocket money are almost over.

as for an AH, all i can say is I'm a getting a bigger one each day, in a sense that the older you get the shorter and straighter the answer with less sugar coating, and i do not make calls to be popular that's for sure.

 

LOL; Quote of the month.

 

They are doing it already, and on Youtube too.

I see any hits to my site (however minimal) a bonus, I know deep down that amateur directories aren't capable of sending me what my other promotion methods can - just no way they can touch those.

One day Google and other SE's will tighten the grip on directories so much that only the professional entrepreneurs will be succesful. The few clicks I get from any directory submitted to, just proves the worthlessness of them as a resource and hopefully people will see sense and not buy into the easy street lifestyle of the web.

Yes, directories help with search positioning - no argument there, but as for a traffic delivery tool, forget it.

If directory owners aren't prepared to build a proper resource then I'll never pay them - I'm very happy with that and delighted to advise my clients of what and who to avoid.

 

Well I am not going to go through and read all your bickering and nonsense so forgive me if I don't quote those this pertains to....

All I really have to say is that my top five sources of conversions over the last month are all directories. I suppose that does not count though huh?

Oh and I should add that they were what I would consider quality directories also.

 

Can you give us an example and did these referrals lead to customers?

 

Sounds like an example of the acute form of Directory Spongiform Encephalopathy Basically the disorder is characterized by directories referring customers on to directories who then assume that directories are an excellent source of business who then purchase more links in directories, who in turn purchase more links in directories and so on. The epidemic accelerates until a certain level of infection is reached and no more willing hosts are found.

At this point the unknown vector that causes the illness will enter the second stage of the disease and the symptoms include a loss of reality with varying levels of delusions. These delusions manifest themselves in various forms, including the Amish variant where directory owners become convinced of the benefits of having directories with nearly no content. Other common symptoms include delusions of grandeur, assorted cognitive disorders, a complete lack of a sense of humor and Gran Mal seizures the latter often mistaken for posts on webmaster forums

 

The respect was given to you to air your side and it was accepted in the view that your arguement can be appreciated but yet you continue to slam any other comment not compliant with your thinking.

 

Ah I see your misconception, you think I came here looking for respect. Give me a bit more credit than that please... This is the good news forum for directories, where abominations unto the word directory are hyped up well beyond the point of absurd. Not exactly the place for me to show up looking for a dose of respect.

 

So i am clear, treat me like a one of your play objects and you will find i am not funny. your discord and smart attitude have no room in any forum. ( pm sent )

Secondly this is a place for all views what ever thaey be, but your one sided over the top rubbish is not good nor wanted in any arena, many people can and do agree to disagree on many topics without pandering to such low levels, and i can suggest and as shown that you can not act in a manner that even resembles a normal debate that you take a walk and play some where else.

 

DownUnder, he has come deliberately to flame, incite, and do just about anything else he can to discredit the paid model of directories. I would not be surprised if he's actually been put up to it as the last throws of desperation for the directory he so cherishes. Do what I do, blank him, he's a waste of space who has not got an iota of a clue. Puppet on a string comes to mind.