Why would google treat directories as link farm? Why wouldn't they treat digg as link farms? They are the same as directories, an external link and 2-3 lines of text. I think google likes directories, as it likes every web 2.0 site. Isn't a directory a web 2.0 site? What's the definition for a web 2.0 site? User Generated Content. What's a directory? User Generated Content. So, if you grow your directory as a link farm it will become a link farm. but if you grow your site with care, if you have in mind, while accepting sites, that their description is your content, you will run a successfull directory. I myself, before opening a submitted site for review check first if the title and description are OK for my directory, if they have titles and descriptions full of keywords that site is deleted directly. That helps me in two ways: 1. I have quality content, 2. Don't have to waste too much time reviewing sites
I read somewhere recently that directories have lost their appeal now to google and that they can be viewed as link farms. I cant remember where i read the post but it was by a very reputible internet marketer.
I think that there are so many clone directories out there that have pretty much the same design template, same general categories and so many deep pages that they are of no use to anyone, except the sites that have 1st or 2nd page links. I think a good directory is like a community page, offer extra content to the readers through a forum or a blog and then you have something going. But what do I know my directory is only 1 day old. But one of the reasons I started it, ontop of my various blogs and my main website, was the seeming lack of quality directories with useful links, not just heaps of links. just my 2 cents
Seems that some one called me a troller for the post above? I am guessing that means something like spam or something to that effect, the person who zapped my reps, didn't leave a name, so no idea who it was, but that was very far from my intent! I was simply trying to illustrate my point quoting myself as an example! I leave no links to my sites here nor do I intend to. I entered this forum in search of advice. I received plenty of great info and thought I would add to the proceedings. How about next time you simply leave a reply to a post, if you feel it is "trolling" as you called it, and give a guy a chance. Jeez!
You can never predict about Google. Some day they might say directories are link farm. And all we can do is to accept it that way.
Exactly, google is on the war path against the crappy directories. This will be good for the directory industry...as long as my directory doesn't end up as collateral damage.