Does anyone use bullshit "for pay" directories for SEO?

I've paid to be included in a few directories, if they met my own strict criteria. One, they weren't overrun, two, I would get quality traffic and good PR. Again, it's worth it for paid inclusion if you can afford it.

Although, I wouldn't break the bank to find out, only when your comfortable. Because I don't think any directory is going to thrust your site to the top of SERPs alone.

 

I will only use directories to increase incoming links. However, just trying to submit my site to all free, no back link required directories has taken weeks.

May be months before I decide to pay for a listing.

 

I look at the end page on which my link will be placed. If it is of considerable PR (then I know it is indexed), theme is good with relevant content and the price is cheap enough, I might try it...

 

Sometimes the price is right! If you can get a link on a page with pr, even 1, for say a buck or two, why not? Anything else is just gravy. Still, I usually just submit to info.vilesilencer list every month....

 

There are some very good paid directories out there that generate traffic, not just PR. No sense paying for a PR2 link, but many have PR4 or better pages with good listings.

 

If I had the cheese I would pay for sitewide directory links only. Some directories have 1000+ categories and some expand to a second or third page. That's 1000+ possible backlinks

 

DMOZ and Yahoo directories began with just a few links.
Nobody can predict which directories will be grow and become valuable resources in the future, but I can guarantee some will.

 

Hi Wazimm, I am really surprised by your comment - are you aware that sitewide
links are discounted?

Cheers,
Johann

 

not with all search engines

 

www.directorycritic.com has a good list of free and paid directories. They even have a list of directories that allow deep-linking.

As for links that do/don't generate traffic, well. I have one niche directory that generates a lot fo hits for the sites in. I also have a general directory (the one in my sig) that has produced an average of ~30 hits a month for some of the sites in it. Other sites in the same category haven't yet averaged 1 click-through a month. I think this is more a sign of a bad description than anything.

 

PR2 is decent? I'm not sure about that...

 

I've used a few pay directories here & there, but more for advertising & traffic than for SEO. Depending on the directory's niche and your site's topic, you can get some good exposure for a very low price. I'll gladly pay $10 for a link that includes an image of my site on a good directory.

 

Why do you consider that an image of your site gives more value to your listing?

 

Don't forget the free directories that only require that you become an editor...

 

The benefit probably depends on the site's topic, but I think a well thought out thumbnail image can make your listing stand out and sometimes even attract visitors to click on it.

I've seen more traffic from this technique on my crafts & gardening sites than anything else - people looking for those sites tend to be attuned to color schemes & visual effects. I'm not sure it would be as effective for a more standard-looking business or financial site.