Most directory submission services allow you to use 5 sets of Titles / Descriptions for 1000 directory submission. In other words, every 1 Title / Description will show up in 200 directories. How does the Bot / Search Engine see it? Will it flag the duplicate contents filter and make it less useful?
I don't think it will trigger duplicate content filters for normal directory listing pages. Though it may do so for the individual 'details' pages.
I will sugest to better make 10 directories submissions to paid or good quality free directories and do it your self manualy and add the description random with out copy paste and you will have 10 useful links.You refering to one problem this service have.The better it can happen to this service is to add to your site 100 low quality links that will servive from this 1000s submissions.
This is why you need to make sure that every link submission has unique description. I do think you will have duplicate content and your serps will suffer.
@Swedal: It may be possible to do so for a paid directory but for free directories that don't even break-even properly, does it really make sense to put that much effort? People can't even judge whether they are approving spam submissions (I know you would say poor english is the reason), I am not sure changing every description is a feasible technique.
That is one of the differences in quality between a pay for review directory and a free directory. It is just one of the things that gives actual value to the listing.
Well I have two different answer for your post 1. I agree that most of submission services offer 5 3 4 titles and description for one url . According to me that's a good thing if title and description relevant to the content on the posting website. Title is convert itself to anchor text if a website have 100 incoming links with same title on 100 directory (or anchor text) then it a plus point for the website . Search engine rank website on incoming anchor text and pull them on front of search result for such anchor text or title whenever its searched on Internet. 2. Search engine in no way can trigger duplicate content and its in no way harmful for both websites and good directories(remember my word good directories). As for as publishing website i told you in [1] that its plus point . So for directory its have nothing no bad impression or duplicate content . Why ?? because all directory have not same hosting company ..ip..unique url..structure and all directories are changing its pages on daily bases, links pages in popular directories content change daily or in week as new links added. There is a little risk and its also another side of mirror 40 out of 100 directories have the same situation you are talking about they have same hosting company..titles..links..descriptions and whenever search bots visit them they give them a negative point . But its bad only for directory position and ranking not for the websites inside directory. Most of directories are cloned and there main and subcategories are cloned from other . Newbie directory runner don't know the real meaning of directory .They are just behind AdSense money or few bucks so they are capable of running new directory in one day. A good Seo Directory is a long term and time taking process . Such newbie directories are bad and harmful. Cheers!! D Najmi