I guess manual ? How many directories got banned anyway ? Just a handfull from what i know... This does prove to me that they do not have an algo yet.
I tend to agree. It seems, once a directory is big enough in terms of PR and starts selling PR, there is manual checking by the SEs.
Well if you have a directory as large as the directories that were banned and there is lets say 200 banned sites in there I would think that G would take more notice of such things no matter if free or paid.
I heard that Google does pay attention to some BIG paid directories and treats them as a trusted source.
Depends on what you would call a success. As long as you are getting worth for your time and work you put in maintaining and promoting your directories, your ROI should be fine too.
Why waste the time ~ The fact a few have been dropped means nothing... Honestly, not meaning to be harsh but your argument makes no logical sense...
To get back to the topic Yes, I'm running a webdirectory for almost a year now and it's profitable, with the funds generated with the directory I'm promoting the directory even more. About the banning by google, Imo it doens't make a difference if the directory is paid or not, there are many many other reason to get banned, read the posts above from lorien, I believe that linking to bad-neigherbood websites is causing the most directories to get banned. I believe when keep on working on a web directory, keep the content/links fresh and keep promoting the web directory it will become a powerful web resource and will not be banned.
What's a polemic? I'm not attacking you, just saying that to ban dirtectories because they charge makes no logical sense from google's point of view...
polemic All i knoiw is that when those bunch of directories got banned back then in that big blast, they were all paid. NONE were 100% free, or editor based, or bla bla
I think another factor is that some of the banned directories gained a very high pr (eg pr8) quickly.
I think all was covered already, only wanted to point out, there are easily accessible lists of paid directories out there, most existing for a longer time already, if Google wanted they would have it handled on a silver plate...just take it from the list and ban. But they didn't, the directories on those lists are mostly doing well and not getting banned. Another question is how much value google gives to a link from such directory, whether the "paid" and "directory" status is recognized or not....
Expertu i have a doubt. How will Google Know whether a Link in a directory is a Paid one or a free one. Because there is no difference in a dir as all link are on the same page, just the featured Listings gets more better placement.
I think you misunderstood the post. Expertu meant paid directories, not paid links. Moreover, he specifically meant those that are PAID ONLY, ie. you can't get in for free, unlike those that are free to get in but for a payment you can get a better position in listings.
Ok, may be But still i have a doubt Normally people say paid links are not good? But how can google know that its a paid link or not.
There is no way that Google will ban a directory just for requiring paid submissions. That would be ludicrous. They ban websites for not following their webmaster SEO guidelines.