Are directories dead?

I was thinking the other day, hey wouldn't it be cool if I started a directory. Then I did a little research, and realized that i would be one of about a million.

So, I have to wonder, are directories dead? Given all the competition out there, why would you start a new directory?

Perhaps I'm missing something about why directories are so popular to create, or just really really late to the party.

 

They are popular to create because it has become easy to create But what makes a directory successful is the maintenance and marketing of the directory !!

You are right that there is a LOT of competition in directories specially for general directories. But niche/regional directories are still useful.

 

Directories are evergreen part of link building.

Free directories become popular soon than other sites because now a days all webmasters looking for more and more backlinks for his sites.

There are many advantage of directories

I think some experienced persons explain it better than me here

Thanks

 

if you think you can offer something unique, it will be like, the on million directories that are not like yours. So forget about those who are saying that directories are dead, and do try your luck with your own. There is place for everyone.

 

No not yet , see good quality directories , so-so quality but good reviews and customized directories . Please avoid just starting it from plain scripts , and be quiet about selling links.

 

Directories are the easiest way to get backlink. I think blog posting is more popular today, but in the future directories will be more popular.
We need free & paid directories for our sites. Getting backlink, some traffic...

 

QBC killed the directory industry but not Google.
you are shamed that every day the qbc members still here @#$%...

 

Did you read the 101 reasons not to start one ( sticky at the top of page ), ?

 

I've read the 101 reasons, and they are very insightful.

I wanted to stir up some controversy and see if anyone had insight that I don't.

Go Niche, use them for backlinks. Good insights so far.

 

Ok then write down all of the reasons you want to start one and what you could hope to provide the visitor, then put it away for 2 weeks and do some thing else, play golf what ever, then come back to it, if it still exits you then wishing you the best in your venture.

 

In my honest opinion, standard, plain, old, boring directories are dead. Vertical portals are really the way to go for the future, but even this market will soon become saturated.

 

No directories are not dead.

 

It's definitely a saturated market especially for general direcctories but you might have some success with a more specialized niche directory.

 

Directories are needed. They are islands in a large amount of information from which source search engines.

 

According to this they are far from dead...
With that said, I would never personally start another general directory for several reasons...

1. With a day job and almost a dozen sites I don't have the time to deal with it.
2. The internet is completely saturated with general directories.
3. Google is pretty much squashing directory owners regardless of their intent or quality.
4. Some people expect miracles with instant and sustained traffic once listed.
5. Too many people are out to get you and knock you down a peg or two once you are successful.

I could go on all day but as I mentioned, I have a day job

Regards,
Tim

 

Directories are not dead! It is just some directory owners are dead.

 

dir. are not dead actually but its takes huge time to list and approved so you have to just do wait and watch for dir. work

 

Directories may not be an attractive area to invest in if you want to start a new website. There are just too many around.

On the other hand, your title is very misleading as directories themselves are definitely not dead.

 

Don't do it unless you think you can serve a unique set of needs. Try to be a big fish in a small pond instead of a little fish in a big pond.