i've been doing more directory submissions lately (1-5 a day, nothing super major) always varying within 3 of my main keywords. just a few days ago, one of my biggest keywords fell off completely. i went from 3 to not even listed. maybe i was using the key word too much in the anchor text? maybe it was the mass influx of directories linking to me? maybe google is just being gay. what do you guys think?
That could be another reason for falling down your keywords as there are many factors affect to keyword search results. Anyway I never heard google will punish directory submission with no reason.
In last days SERPs are changing a lot. I don't think it's appropriate time to make any conclusions. About directories: most of popular paid directories lost their SERPs in last couple of weeks.
I've seen the effects of general directory submissions falling off this year. I used to run a directory submission service & I think a lot of the "less effectiveness" has to do with the continual decline of the directories themselves. Poor pagination, poor categorization & simply not keeping things structured nicely within the directories; spam like listings with casino links next to pet food supply links. A lot of these "seo friendly" directories are no more than glorified FFA pages. Of course, I think there's been something brewing recently as well, something that seems to be affecting directories that take great pride in their sites . . . only time will tell.
It actually depends on the age of your site and the speed you do it at. For e.g. if your site is a few weeks old, and you submit to 5000 directories..chances are you might get penalized.. The Solution : Make the link building look "natural".
Submitting your site to directory is good but be careful co'z some site is listed in not the apropriate niche. Try doing the natural link building.
I think this is an old issue, directory submissions is dead already. I got listed in many directories but when I checked them via yahoo, no one counted as back links. It is dead, forget it.