Its quality links, not quantity, like someone else said in this thread. No where in Googles submission guidelines does it indicate that directory submission is discouraged.
Googles 'guidelines' are not rules. And every other method that an SEO uses, because that's not in the guidelines doesn't mean anyone doesn't do it.
You're perfectly right. However directory submission used to be recommended. It's not recommended anymore. What that means?
Google treats DMOZ links like they treat any other, which means a DMOZ link is far more valuable than an average link, and certainly more valuable than a link on some spammy piece of crap blog. Think about it.
I don't think it was every really "recommended" per say, if you are referring to the mention of using the ODP or Yahoo... Those were likely examples of directories that you might consider submitting to. I do not think it was either an endorsement of those directories, or a suggestion that you should or should not submit a site to a directory. Either way, there is no clear instruction or opinion directing one to either submit, or not submit. What IS said is that placing your site in "link farms" or using "link schemes" in order to attain SERPS/PR is not something that should be practiced. Targeted and concentrated appropriate listing of a web sites in various directories is hardly a linking scheme. The good directories out there require a degree of time and patience in order to get a link reviewed, approved and active. That said, its hardly plausible that listing in all directories could be seen as detrimental to a sites SERPS/PR as a result.
explain yourself? how is a dmoz link more valuable than an "average link"?? seems to me that dmoz is pretty much a link farm if you treat it like "any other" as you say..... from an algorithmic point of view, there are alot of outgoing links on each page.... if they are going to discriminate against a directory that you or I own and then give preferred treatment to dmoz, then that is just plain wrong of them to do
I don't think they will penalize a website submitted to directories. Those links simply will not count..which will sadly affect your ranking. Just my thought.
so good directories are the ones that takes quite long to get listed? i wonder how will google determine good directory sites.. lets say DMOZ... its just pretty much filled with links.. would they go for content on directory sites so the links that were submitted before this will affect my rankings for the next update? that would really be a major bummer.. wonder what would be the next BIG major changes would be.. arrgh make them stop lolz and one more thing.. what would happen to the directory sites.. what would there value be like nowadays? zrhder
Google want to press the competitors and gets all the market for itself, thats why it keeps changing the SERC algos/guidelines all the time.
* “Have other relevant sites link to yours.†* “Submit your site to relevant directories such as the Open Directory Project and Yahoo!, as well as to other industry-specific expert sites.
No. The ones that just take tons of links per day and automatically approve them without reviewing them, are pretty easy to spot. Its not about the speed at which something is reviewed, but the level and or quantity rather at which sites are reviewed vs. the quality and timely placement of relevant content filled sites in appropriate categories. The patterns are pretty easy to spot.