Free Directories that will actually list you (or not)?

The main reason I have the list of directories on my site is because I use it fairly regularly, for my own clients. So they should mostly be good. I am adding on a regular basis so there will be some that I haven't used, as well as a number of the niche directories that I haven't had a client in.

Most of the sites email an approval or disapproval, although I don't often check I can't imagine the site going to that effort if they are not going to list the site. I think it's mostly a matter of being patient. One other though, Higher PR directories seem to always take longer to get accepted, If you need links quickly mix in some lower PR sites with the high ones.

By the way if you find a directory on my site that doesn't do what its suppose to, feel free to use my comment page and tell me. If it's not a SEO friendly directory I don't want to mess with it either, I'll delete it.

 

Thats what bothers me when I'm submitting....no approval/rejected email.
And how come you have to wait weeks to get approval on some? (of course it wouldn't be anything to do with 48hr approval for $20 etc would it?)I think some of them are just harvesting emails and have no intention of adding any more once they have about 500 links or so.

 

MattL

"I have to wonder if many of the people running "free" directories are listing mostly their own sites, sites of their friends, just trying to get traffic and using the "directories" to get ideas for their new sites from people that submit." -- I don't think that is the case, personally I don't even list all my sites in my own directories because many reside on the same ip and one-way links are more valuable, so decisions on interlinking are always tough and it would not really pay-off. A persons time (and money) could be much better spent promoting their sites in other ways.

I just started my network of directories a few weeks ago and here is some info I can give you from the "inside".

I would say that about 80% of the links submitted thus far have been incorrectly done in some way, since my directories are new I have spent hours-upon-hours editing peoples submissions. Some of the most common faux-pas are,

1. Incorrect category placement - Your really have to spend a few minutes looking through all available categories and choose one that is most suitable and if one doesn't exsist don't be shy, recommend a new one.

2. Using the site URL as the Title or in the Title. The title should be what your page is about in as few words as possible without any adjectives.

3. Make sure to include a description and try to use at least semi-proper grammar and spelling. Many people don't give a description at all, or they try and stuff it with keywords so it makes no sense.

I would say those are the top three mistakes that people make when submitting and probably account for a 50% rejection rate in most established directories.

Even being new I can see how proper human edited approvals can take start taking a long-time. I have logged on after not doing approvals for one day and found 45 submissions waiting, I am sure some of the more established directories face 100 or more submissions a day and that can be very time consuming. Imagine if they take a long weekend and come back to 400+ submissions waiting for appoval, it can be easy to fall behind and I really don't blame most directories for offering "premium" listings for a small fee.

btw, as far as sending emails out, I have heard very mixed feelings, some folks want confirmations all the way through, 1. submission recieved, 2. submission waiting, 3. submission approved. Personally I only send out standard emails if there is a rejection.

Good Luck with your submissions!

Jay

 

On your first point, the problem may be that the script the directory is written does not have an email notification included. If this is the case, then the directory owner is NOT going to take the time to email everyone. Also, some scripts will hit your site to insure the URL is valid, which means no editor has actually reviewed your site.

Also, be sure to follow ALL rules of submitting carefully, especially if using a free submission. With so many free submissions to wade through, if something is not quite right, it is more likely the editor will just delete and move on. The most common problems I see, other than a site being downright spammy, is the site listed in a wrong category, a very short or nonexistant description (I'm not taking time to write one for you!), an invalid URL (sometimes a typo, sometimes maybe a server down), or someone submitting several sites all dealing with similar topics (if you submit a dozen sites all dealing with International Trade Laws, this seems a little too spammy for my taste.)

Wait time is just something you have to deal with if you submit free. How many people submit everyday to a directory? I own one that has days where it recieves over 100. You start getting more than a hundred submissions every day and you can start getting quite a backlog. This is the main reason many well-intentioned directory owners offer a paid submission, for those wishing speedy acceptance. Just look at how many people b*tch that DMOZ doesn't offer a paid submission.

Sadly, there do seem to be those folks out there starting directories for shady purposes. Best thing you can do is use some of the trusted lists of directories out there, such as the one at http://info.vilesilencer.com . The owner of that site quickly removes any directory from his list that are reported to be unethical.

 

I was going through my queue today and was amazed at some of the crap that was awaiting review. The main theme of this thread is "Why can't I get my site listed and fast"? Well, I brought some screenshots to help you understand what me and all other directory owners go through.

(1) http://www.portprophecy.com/pics/pending01.jpg
(2) http://www.portprophecy.com/pics/pending02.jpg
(3) http://www.portprophecy.com/pics/pending03.jpg

The first screenshot shows you someone who defies all the rules I've set. I specifically ask for no internal pages, no multiple submissions, include official names in title, etc... Took about 2 secs for me to click ban and the dozen or so pages he submitted went bye bye, hopefully forever.

The second group is the strangest of the lot. First is your standard online casino affiliate BS. The second is a web host who gives the URL of my site as his site's title! Then follows an asian furniture site submitting to SEO category and someone selling watches submitting to Science? DELETE DELETE DELETE DELETE...

The third is similar to the first. Someone spamming with about 5 or 6 of his penis pill sites. Banned and gone.

Keep in mind these are not something I had to search long and hard through my queue to find. This is a vast majority of what gets submitted. So the next time you see a directory owner or editor, give him or her a hug.

 

/Waits for hug
I know exactly what you mean PortProphecy.That is great place to get you directory listed too http://info.vilesilencer.com Nearly half of my new submissions are coming from there at the moment.I suspect that it one of the main lists used by multiple submitters.

 

So, if the spam simply gets deleted shouldn't the legit sites simply get approved? I haven't seen that happening. Why do people solicit submissions to there directory and not list good sites? I don't get it.

I take great care to do submissions properly. It's rather irritating when you do it right and meet all criteria but still don't get listed.

I haven't submitted to a directory in months. I think adacprgramming gave us some good insight on how it works....become a "client".

 

Well, feel to free to give us some URLs of some sites of yours that no one will accept. Some of the directory owners and editors may be able to give you some insight as to what the problem may be. There must be a problem because most directories do, in fact, list free submissions in a reasonable amount of time and are not just ignoring them.

Although, even I admit that I've run across a few directories that just seem to be offering a free submission for no other reason than to say that they are free.

 

I think many directory owners get side-tracked. They put up a directory get a bunch of listings then move on to more interesting or lucrative projects. Personally when I contemplated going into the directory genre I did it as a large project so it would keep my interest and hopefully earn some money down-the-road.

 

Not exactly what I meant. Mine is a web development and SEO company. Some of my website clients want to do some of their own SEO, I've made a list of SEO Friendly directories that I refer them to if they want to do their own sites. You don't have to be a client to use it, it's listed in my signature.

As far as being a client of the directories, I'm sure it helps if you want to contribute a little for the time they spend. I doubt there are too many directory owners out that are so wealthy they would prefer to work for free.

 

Some directories are focussed on upselling you to a paid listing and don't list any free listings. Here are some reasons that directories are not adding free submissions.

 

I must agree to the reasons! However, if I were about to start a directory and it starts to really take my time, I'd try to find other editors that would start a directory as well. Of course upselling is not wrong but free listings should still be provided! Having 500 submissions each week will increase future income highly (I assume..). Just because as soon as the categories fill up and the sites split into several pages, some guys consider offering featured listings and they are often taken into account as soon as your directory appears to be valued (with a pr and lots of sites etc.)

 

Yes they should. I agree. But in the real world it often doesn't happen.

 

Umm... yep maybe. well it's always good to have a directory refering to a particular site in the real world You know as site thats piggy backed by a directory often gets LOTS of traffic and sales or subscription