Can a Business Model of directory be linked to a <Meta Tags>

I know you must be thinking paid submission fast and easy. But I noticed that websites like Blogcatalog request from users that do not want to pay for their services, to paste a Meta Tag in their blogs if they do not want to paste a reciprocal link.

This made me think, if through these Blog Catalog tells the Crawler about his presence and connection with the Blog, so as to get indexed as well in that category.. resulting in better SERP results for them = more exposure = money.

Is that a wrong assumption?, any experts reply on directories will be more than appreciated.

 

and i also have this question....
any experts can answer this phenomenon

 

I am not sure about a meta tag mention, but sure text mentions seem to get some weight nowadays.