I am new in SEO. I am currently in doubt that whether Directory Submissions work. And how many directories should one submit on a daily basis.
Directory submissions aren't really worth it these days unless it's something like DMOZ. You're better off working on other link building techniques like Web 2.0, Social Bookmarking, Citation Links..etc.
I know they work. Of course, questions about whether they work depend on what it is that you hope to accomplish, and what you are willing to call a web directory. Most of the "directory" sites that you come across on the Internet, or being pushed on forums, are junk. Junk directories are often in networks, all hosted together on the same shared server. Junk directories consist of web directory scripts, with little more than a bunch of empty categories or low-quality sites with spammy titles and descriptions. Junk directories add paid listings automatically, without any human intervention, into whatever categories that sites are submitted to, and with whatever titles and descriptions are submitted. Sometimes junk directories are started by people who once had good intentions. But once they learned that a web directory is not a very efficient get-rich-quick scheme, they found that the actual operation of the directory was more than they could handle, and put their own on autopilot. Unfortunately, that is what a lot of people think of when they think of a web directory. Admittedly, there are a lot of them. Of course, there are a lot of junky blogs around too, but we don't allow them to represent every blog on the Internet, or give up on blogs just because a lot of them are trash. Don't submit to junk directories. Since Google hasn't gotten around to penalizing 90% of the junk directories on the Internet, it is unlikely that your site would be harmed from being in some of them, but it is also unlikely that this would help you, so the best course of action is not to submit your site to junk directories. A good directory is well organized. Sites are not added to a good directory until an editor has reviewed the site, ensuring that it meets the directory's guidelines for inclusion, that it is listed in an appropriate category, and that the title and description are accurate. Ninety percent of the sites listed in a good directory have been added for free by the directory staff. Directories are not search engines. Even those of us in the directory industry turn first to a search engine when we're looking for something. Obviously, on any given topic, a web directory is not going to return as many results as a search engine, such as Google, will. Whereas Google might return 50,000 results on a given search term, a directory is likely to include only a few, and seldom more than fifty. However, at least half of the results returned on the first page of a Google search will be irrelevant, and very few people will look beyond the first page or two of the SERPs. On the other hand, every site listed in a well organized directory will be appropriate for the topic of the category it is listed in, so they have their purpose too. Google does not dislike web directories. Google dislikes sites that are trying to scam its results, which includes many directories, and Google dislikes junk, which can be used to define thousands of web directories. Well organized web directories, particularly those that include content beyond their outgoing directory links, do well, and a link in these directories is as good as a link anywhere. Don't concern yourself with metrics, but judge a web directory as you would any other website. Ask yourself, if search engines were not available, would you be able to find useful content in this directory? This, of course, requires that the content be there, but it also requires that it be reasonably well organized, preferably with a working in-site search. Some directories are evolving, adding useful textual content beyond outgoing category links. In other words, when you visit a particular category, you will find information about the topic of that category, as well as whatever links the category may hold, which can point you to additional resources. These directories are better indexed by the search engines, and are therefore more valuable repositories for your link. Make sure you have a diversified link profile, of which directory links are only a part. Niche directories are particularly effective, but general directories are also good if you submit to the most appropriate category. The relevancy of your links is more important than the number of links, so it's better to be in a deep but appropriate category than in an upper-level category that places your site with a bunch of other sites whose topics don't relate to your own. If you're interested, you'll find additional information in the Web Directory Digest site that you can find in my signature.
The only things you should know about directory submissions is that they need to make complete sense. There are situations in which they are really good and they should be used. For instance, if the site is for a plumber, that site can be listed in all plumber related or business service websites that exist. If your site is a blog that talks about interior design, it can be listed in directories that are specialized in interior design. The big problem with these submissions is that people are usually really lazy when they do it. It is VITAL that every single submission includes a different description for your site. When you use the same description, this is where the link loses value. At the same time, you should only submit to those directories that are 100% related and of a really high authority in the niche that your site operates in. If there are only 2 such directories for your list, that is where you need to be. Think locally. Do you run a business in Melbourne and you service people in Australia? It makes sense then that you are listed in Australian business directories that have a suitable category that is represented. As Web Directory Reviews said above: There is no problem in doing such submissions IF YOU DO THEM RIGHT. This means that you should spend those 10 to 15 minutes or even half an hour in order to create a good profile on directories that are of high relevance, with unique text added about the business.
The overwhelming majority of directories are junk. They are a waste of time to submit to. There are, of course, a small number of good-quality directories. Inclusion in a modest number of them, particularly if they are relevant to your niche, would probably be a positive.
there are very few directories, and imo web directories are only use for link juice, so just focus on top 10 directories that's all.
YES, It is working still. According to Google algorithms of Seo perspective, Submitting site in popular directories is legitimate and site presence on various site like (Bookmarking or directories) increase site rank in search engines. Eventually, Submitting sites in directories is a beneficial process and factor of Off Page Seo.
i believe with new updates etc that too much link building that looks un natural can go against you it has to be more progressive & natural
It is a waste of time for the past 2-3 years. You get no SEO benefits from directory submission - both from algorithmic perspective and from redirect traffic point of view. The only two things that work for SEO these days are content and traffic.
I've heard from many strong sources that directories are only good for Tier 3 Backlinks (links to T2 Links, then T1(website)). Right now the most important thing is authority. If sites with massive authority like facebook and tumblr link to your site you will have a much easier time ranking. Remember that these are no follow backlinks, but still provide authority. You may use fiverr to help you with improving your sites authority. After you have built authority, then you will want to start placing high quality dofollow links to your site. Buying relevant links will speed up the process immensely.
You're joking, aren't you? You believe that directory links aren't worth much of anything, but you think that Facebook links and stuff that you can buy at Fiverr are going to give your site authority? Good luck with that.
The do have impact on SEO, it will get you more backlinks but dont expect quick SERP just by submitting links in directories. You will have to focus on social media marketing, blogging, forum posting and press releases.
yes i agree with most of pals said about directory submissions, not worth of time,nowadays,,should need to work on web2.0...and bookmarking engaging with social media so on..
If there is any ONE thing that can be done to affect your position in the SERPs, it is to offer unique, valuable, and well-written content. You shouldn't expect to get a quick positioning in the SERPs "just by" doing anything. Directory links can, and should, be a part of your strategy, but just a part of it and, even then, only when the links are on pages that are relevant to the content of your site. Niche directories, that are in your niche, are great; otherwise, relevant categories of general directories. No one should concentrate on any one kind of link or strategy, since the whole is made up of all of its parts, which includes the social media, blogging, forum posting, press releases, and the dance that we might do in order to get people to link to us from relevant web sites. The relevancy of the links that you have are more important than the quantity of links, so you'd be nuts to fall for any of the schemes that promise to submit your site to five thousand directories, or any other such nonsense. Only submit to well organized directories, and to categories that are relevant to the topic of your site. Your linking strategy shouldn't be entirely dependent on any one thing, since a diversity of links are necessary.
Sorry guys but you all live in the past It's been a very long time since directory links, low quality backlinks, or any crap that you get on Fiverr or Addmefast (or similar) had any effect on SERP. I did massive test with some of my test sites 6 months ago and gradually created up to 5000 social media links (Facebook, Google+, Twitter, Pinterest) per hero page. Half of these pages moved few positions up for target terms, half moved few positions down. The reason? Google algorithms are much smarter now then they were 5 years ago, you can create millions of backlinks but if nobody clicks on these to navigate to your site it is all worthless. If they click and leave right away (within 5 sec) it is actually bad for your SERP: Google doesn't want to waste resources to analyze contextual relevance, their algorithms simply assume that if people don't stay on your pages, your site is junk and they rank you accordingly. That's why it's the new game these days, only targeted traffic and content quality (re retention rate) matter. Everything else is a waste of time and money. If somebody tells you otherwise they just want your money... I am sure this message will get a lot of negative responses, looks like 50% of people here make living selling "old-school" SEO services to unsuspecting naive users :-(
Well, as per Google, directory submission are considered as link scheme. So, if you are going to build links for your site then I suggest that you look for the most relevant and quality site. Focus on creating quality content and not mainly on building backlinks to your site.
That's funny, because apparently no one told Google about that. My pages are indexed quite well, and I receive a lot of traffic from Google.