Are Directories Still Working?

Discussion in 'Directories' started by SEbasic, Dec 15, 2005.

  1. Design Agent

    Design Agent Peon

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    #41
    I would bet that the majority of directories will still be around and ranking in 12 months time.
     
    Design Agent, Dec 19, 2005 IP
  2. SEbasic

    SEbasic Peon

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    #42
    I would bet they won't :p

    Honestly - what use is a directory unless it organises information within a specific niche, making it easier to find...

    I'd honestly say, unless the directory is big and actually provides a handy resource, it won't be here in 12 months...

    But hey - I could be wrong. :)
     
    SEbasic, Dec 19, 2005 IP
  3. Design Agent

    Design Agent Peon

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    #43
    You seem the believe that google is the internet. ;)

    Who is going to judge whether a directory is large or a handy resource or not ? - it's subjective.

    If you search for an extremely generic term (cars for example) a directory would probably be one of the handiest links you could find.

    We should have a little wager...
     
    Design Agent, Dec 19, 2005 IP
  4. SEbasic

    SEbasic Peon

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    #44
    It's not subjective - it can be worked out pretty easily with a simply algorithm. :)
    Not on your life mate :D
     
    SEbasic, Dec 19, 2005 IP
  5. Design Agent

    Design Agent Peon

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    #45
    so what would the key components of your algo be ?
     
    Design Agent, Dec 19, 2005 IP
  6. SEbasic

    SEbasic Peon

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    #46
    I'm no algo engineer, but if they can write something that calculates the importance of a page on the net in relation to every other - I'm pretty sure they can write something to calculate the importance of a directory...

    (Hey - I'm no phd ;))

    I know you disagree with me - and that's cool, but really - why should these directories be included in any search index?

    Give me one *good* reason why these directories help a search results page...

    And coming back to your example of 'cars' - you're riight, but again - would you rather see a directory all about cars, or a directory that contained a small category about cars....

    I know which I'd prefer....
     
    SEbasic, Dec 19, 2005 IP
  7. Design Agent

    Design Agent Peon

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    #47
    Give me one good reason for another games forum, ford fiesta information page or an seo blog that rewrites what other say (manually or not).

    Why should a directory not be included ? - it should be subject to the same rules as all other sites. There are plenty of directories that are better resources than many sites.

    Cars ? Who will decide whether a big cars only directory (sponsored by a corporation and biased) vs a cars category in an excellent directory is better ?
    What we really need is someone who runs a large directory and see if theyve noticed any changes ;)
     
    Design Agent, Dec 19, 2005 IP
  8. SEbasic

    SEbasic Peon

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    #48
    Yeah - that would be good....

    It's a shame - I'd really like to hear some more opinions on this, and of course directory owners are the perfect people to have had an insight...

    I thought there were thousands of directory owners on dp... :|
     
    SEbasic, Dec 19, 2005 IP
  9. muchacho

    muchacho Active Member

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    #49
    Some general (big) directories can sometimes (only in some specific situations) be better that search engines. Depends on how spammed is a search engined for that keyword.

    I'm sure there are better examples, but for example do a search for hotels in Salt Lake City.

    In google some of the results for "Salt Lake City" hotels are really hotels located in Salt Lake City, but other don't.

    Repeat that search in dmoz and go to http://dmoz.org/Regional/North_Amer...Travel_and_Tourism/Lodging/Hotels_and_Motels/
    Probably all of the sites listed in that category are really hotels in Salt Lake City.
     
    muchacho, Dec 19, 2005 IP
  10. Ernster

    Ernster Peon

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    #50
    Directories just like any other site can be useful. Sure the crappy directories who are all about PR and "improving SE rankings" can die, but the really good directories who care about indexing quality sites and providing users with traffic should not be penalised.
     
    Ernster, Dec 19, 2005 IP
  11. cantufind

    cantufind Banned

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    #51

    I suppose that you could call directories ffa pages if you like but you'd be wrong and easily offend the owners of them. Take The Orange Pages.com for example as I am bias toward them. 99% of directories are indexed by the big search engines, and as The Orange Pages really does hand review sites they often ignore the poor coding in the metatags of a site and after reveiwing a site they will give a description from there. The major search engines won't see poor coding and therefore run right past the site and will not list it under any circumstance, moreso with new methods being implimented by the robots that all but demand that quality tags are there. If they aren't you won't get seen. So in answer to all your negs to directories being useless is no they are not!

    Get into The Orange Pages.com and see how quickly you get picked up, and they don't have half their data up yet. Use the directories as a piggy back if you like. Remember, one visit from them that makes a sale is worth more than a thousand from a major that makes none!
     
    cantufind, Dec 22, 2005 IP
  12. SEbasic

    SEbasic Peon

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    #52
    http://info.vilesilencer.com/main.php?rock=seo-friendly.php

    You're telling me that every one of these is a quality resource that benefits the internet?

    No.

    Also I couldn't give a shit how quickly I am accepted to a directory after I submit - that's not what we're talking about here..

    I've never heard of Orange Pages - I take it you are associated with them.

    Also, if you notice, I did mention that niche directories would be an exception.
     
    SEbasic, Dec 22, 2005 IP
  13. cantufind

    cantufind Banned

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    #53
    No, I am not telling you that at all. What I am trying to say is that there are SOME directories worth submitting to, and The Orange Pages is definately one of them. *Yes I am a big fan of thiers!. I'm sorry to have rubbed you up the wrong way and you seem pretty angry for me trying to offer some input? We're all entitled to a point of view and if you disagree then I accept that, just like I disagree with the need to swear!:eek:

    Seriously, any link is a good link except for real FFA's which are I agree a load of rubbish as your link only remains there for a bit., seconds in the high traffic ones.
     
    cantufind, Dec 22, 2005 IP
  14. Design Agent

    Design Agent Peon

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    #54
    And how does that work ?

    A news niche? a general niche ? an IT niche vs ICT niche.

    Or for example:

    a car niche or an audi A4 niche or an audi A4 gear stick niche ? or the little chrome bit that sits on top of the gear stick of an Audi A4 niche ? - again there is no boundry to what actually is a niche and there are too many points where niches crossover and all niches tend to be a part of something bigger anyway.
     
    Design Agent, Dec 22, 2005 IP
  15. SEbasic

    SEbasic Peon

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    #55
    It can be grouped - you know that...

    If a directory contains links to web designers, second hand car salesmen and poker rooms, the chances are that it's not a niche directory.

    It doesn't have to be *that* tight to weed out most of the crap.
    Apologies - It's still early here and I've only just got my coffee.

    The thing is, links from FFA pages still work - at least until they have been flagged...

    Who needs an FFA page any more when you can beuild a whole site out of it though ;)
     
    SEbasic, Dec 22, 2005 IP
  16. cantufind

    cantufind Banned

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    #56
    LOL, I need at least FIVE coffees! I had to take a valium when you shouted at me as I was only trying to defend my own views. Take care.
     
    cantufind, Dec 22, 2005 IP
    SEbasic likes this.
  17. SEbasic

    SEbasic Peon

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    #57
    Who needs coffee when you have valium eh... ;)
     
    SEbasic, Dec 22, 2005 IP
  18. Design Agent

    Design Agent Peon

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    #58
    Not accurately enough.

    Chances are: it could be a great niche directory supplemented by other not so great categories for example. It could also be a niche directory about web designers, car salesmen and poker rooms.
    There are much easier ways to weed out most of the crap and again crap is subjective in the case of directories.
    Most things have worked for the last 4 - 5 years and still do, very little 'actually' changes. ;)
     
    Design Agent, Dec 22, 2005 IP