Granted, I have'nt been around the SEO forums for very long...but... it seems to me there more of these new little directories cropping up then ever before. I try to submit to as many as I can, it's a good opportunity for links. However, though these new links are adding up (I jumped from 90 to 363 in the last G baclink update), I wonder if the short period of time these links have existed means they have very little actual weight. I also wonder how long some of these sites will stay in existence. My first question is personal - I now have more then 3x the backlinks that are reported for most of the 12 sites ahead of me for my #1 keyword, however my position hasn't budged in a month except for +/- 2 or 3 spots fluctuation: what is a good period of time for the links to be up where they will start counting for something, that first page is awfully attractive. I've heard through the rumor mill that 6 months is about the minimum age that these links start to count - is that true? If so I have a long wait, but by that theory in 6 months I should be firmly positioned on the first page. I am certainly seeing anchor text effecting the rank of certain keywords - they're at least on the map vs. off the map. My second question is for small dirertory owners. It's not meant as a challenge, just for fun. What are you guys up to to make your directories competitive with the big ones? Adding as many links as possible or the opposite - choosing quality over quanity. Are you paying for advertising and exchanging links?
Only advice I can give you since Im just a beginner still, but to have any sort of presence you really do need to advertise. It doesnt have to be too costly, what I am doing is advertising in a Internet magazine and they also have just about agreed to accept my PDF file to be included on their CD, twice a year which will contain all links submitted to my directory. A great idea, I think so You just need to have a hard think, there's many ways to avertise a website.