Not saying that I wouldn't pay but I want to know how does the directory fall into the category of being important now? I've personally hardly seen any site come up on Yahoo's search that was listed in their directory. It's like the optimized sites are showing up first.
Is the Yahoo Directory Important anymore? Oh hell yeah it is. You may not be seeing results in Yahoo SERPs for the listing, but other SEs still crawl the yahoo directory, check it: Google: site:dir.yahoo.com MSN (beta even): site:dir.yahoo.com Gigablast site:dir.yahoo.com Teoma inurl:dir.yahoo.com and even Yahoo site:dir.yahoo.com Those should give you an idea of the relevence of the directory usefulness.
It's especially important to your serps in Yahoo! search.... I tend to notice that it is a good possibility that catagory keywords carry heavy weight to your site.... and yes - the other se's crawl the Yahoo directory.... it definetly helps to be in there.... It's a recurring fee if you need to pay to get in...... which just plain ol sucks....
I don't think the Yahoo! directory is as important as it used to be, and unless you're a business it's probably not worth paying to try and get listed. Out of all the sites I run/maintain, I notice a great deal more traffic from Google and Yahoo! search than from any directory sites (although directories are still useful for boosting your ranking in the normal search engines, as a couple of people have mentioned already, and of course the extra publicity is always a good thing).
I run a commercial site and about 3 years ago I submitted to Yahoo for a free listing and was lucky enough to get in, I've never been asked to pay. Just lucky I guess. Infact I was looking after 2 other commercial sites as well and managed to get a free listing for those, just try it and see what happens.
I was fortunate to get a free listing as well. I was actually very surprised at how helpful the editors there were. If you can get in, and you can afford it, or you can get in for free (even better), it's worth it.
A Yahoo! listing is one of the first things I do for new SEO projects. I've seen Yahoo! SERP positions jump as a result of buying the listing. The bottom line: If you can afford it- DO IT!
Got listed in the yahoo directory yesterday, on a PR 8 page (for free!).. And the traffic from Yahoo exploded. The site ranks great for several really good and popular keywords now, so a listing in the directory really helps with the Yahoo SERPs..
Yahoo Directory listing or submittal. Can someone please guide me to the location for free submital for Yahoo! Also, what is the normal time frame vs. Rush for $299? AND MOST importantly is it worth the Rush Fee? Please advise...
After you click on "Suggest a site" you will be given the option for a standard listing or the Express (rush) listing. I don't know the time frame. I haven't submitted via the Free option in over six years.