Does RSS News / Articles really help your Google rankings for a directory? Does this type of extra "content" encourage Google to rank your directory pages better even if the news / artcles are relevant to a given directory page? Does showing of unique article snippets make a difference? Seems like a lot of phpld v3 directories are trying to add this type of content. Anybody had any success?
I have had good success with unique articles. I'm not really bothered about showing news feeds. Unique content rules, and it also gives the user something to read in each category.
Always better have feeds than nothing. And it looks better for visitor what you also shouldn't forget. And if you're such a SEO-Warrior then I do not understand your post as you should know it. This is question like the one: does running a website helping your Google rankings?
Has anyone who as added the RSS feeds noticed any sort of decline in paid submissions? It seems in some ways that the feeds would make incoming SEO good for the directory but outgoing SEO for the listed sites to be diluted. I wonder too if the feeds would be more attractive for site visitors to click on? I've seen some feeds on directories where the placement and usage looked quite effective. Unfortunately, too many just add it where ever they find space. I am intrigued by the idea of adding feeds but do wonder if there are negatives to doing so.
YMC - I am inclined to agree - also what is the real point of adding news feeds? Are visitors coming to your Directory to read news? I fear it may be a distraction. I am not convinced that news feed adds value as content for Google. I suspect Google see this news as duplicate content. If Google sees a "Directory" theme - it might flag sites with news feeds. "dargre" obviously disagrees. BritishGuy - do you have an example site? what software do you use or have you written it yourself?
Here is a thought Build sites for your visitors and provide them with the content and information you think they might find useful. If you think they might find news useful then add it. They will reward you with additional traffic. I am not saying to disregard Google completely, just to think more of your visitors needs.
We wrote the code for the feed box and we add in the text each day (takes 15 mins approx) and we vary the content and our readers find it useful, so that is a very minor valued added for us..........but every little helps