It's official Google has opened up a can of whoop ass on directories

Am I really the only person who thinks its a good thing?
Who wants to see directories when they're searching using Google.. I know I'd get annoyed.

 

Directory owners would likely want to see it up there, especially for the directory name.

However, I think that google is finally putting the directory in between link farm & paid links, as in many ways that is where most of them go. I think that one of the things that did them in was Google Analytics which is likely watched by Google as well it is by the average webmaster. With that the Big G could likely see that it was the same folks that went to them all, and that most of those that did go only went once (to submit sites).

 

I know directory owners would.. but people searching wouldn't.
I'm really happy that Google is penalizing them. Most directories only offer a bunch of links and no real quality/content.. why should they be ranked higher than good results?

 

Only just saw this thread, and I'm seeing number of drops for some big directories :0

 

some people hurry to make conclusion that Google penalizing directories, there are still many quality directories keep their SERP. any explanation for it?

check this for the Google attitude towards directory:
http://forums.digitalpoint.com/showthread.php?t=457790

for those people who don't like directories, my suggestion: just ignore them. There are also many sites I don't like in Google search result.

 

Explanation for it.. quality
Sadly 99% of all directories seem to miss that.

 

Your right Nora, in my opinion directories used as an add on to a business are fine.

www.businessservicesuk.com offer many services including a directory, the site is full of unique content and added to regularly. It can't be that bad, Logoworks like it and they have just been bought out by HP.

As for stand alone directories, they do struggle with the content issue, one that is very difficult to get round. They also make crucial SEO errors, something I pointed out in a previous thread. I guess they were seen as good money earners, time will tell if they survive.

 

looks like Noble Directory is back for its keyword while many others are still not

http://www.google.com/search?rls=GGLJ,GGLJ:2006-43,GGLJ:en&hl=en&q=noble+directory

 

My directory seem to have not been beaten up by google.. it is showing nice results... & also is indexing new pages/articles & my blogging on the same dir.. I think i m lucky... But i m not blessed with enough submissions

 

Didn't anyone tell you...it is not enough to be a quality directory. You need High PageRank to get submissions. .

 

Nope you are certainly not the only one. But who is to blame? Why do we allow unscrupulous directory owners to dominate this section of the industry? Why do we sit it out and wait for Google to clean up?

Just wait until the dust settles. They will be back strutting and crowing and looking as clever as they can. Its time we took the initiative and offered the market an alternative point of view.

 

I really don't think PR is "VITAL", especially with everything at Google being up in the air. I do think that a well run, well promoted directory with links and advertising strategically placed can do well also. Traffic is just as important as PR for a NEW directory.. Afterall, you can't have high PR overnight and isn't the goal of a quality directory to provide targetted traffic to more than just webmasters?

If PR is "vital" , then no directory would ever get anywhere. Only webmasters care about PR, general businesses want traffic, and shouldn't the goal of a successfully run directory be to become a resource to end-users and sites that aren't exclusively directories?

I agree it helps, and wish I had some. But finding ways to generate strategic traffic and interested end - users is also important for a new directory.

Lance

 

Good post Lance

It is a little like link building, no one wants to exchange links with a low ranked site, however people fall over themselves to exchange when a site is built up.

Everything takes time and with all internet businesses its about conversion rates. A site that gets 5 visitors a day but converts 2 into paying customers can be a very successful business.

 

One of the problems I noticed with directories in particular is they lack unique content and the description meta tags are the same throughout the whole site, very poor for sites with 1000's of pages.

 

I guess one thing everyone is forgeting is that there is also no logic to dropping popular, well indexed, well linked directories in the SERP's. If I type in the keywords 'web directory' I am sure gooogle still wants to show me the most relevant results, same if I typed in the keywords 'peach juice'.

If gooogle ever decides to partially discount directory listings or something of the sort I don't think they would start by moving popular directories down in the SERPs.

I think this is a normal fluctuation and they might be tweaking their algorythms but I seriously doubt they are on a 'witch hunt' for directoreis.

 

I also have to agree here, although I am no Google expert by any means. It seems odd to me that Google would target such a small industry as Directories. Especially with the numbers that fail or just disappear. Wouldn't it be in their best interest to go after MFA sites instead?

I just have a hard time believing that Google would decide that Directories are a huge problem for them. I mean, I honestly don't know many people (excluding directory owners) that think... hmmmm.... I think I'll search for "Bid For Position Directories" today...

I could be wrong.. have been many times in my life..

Lance

 

LanceT22 I think your train of thought is correct. Even if paid links were considered a big thorn in G's side I can't see them spending much resources on 'punishing' paid directories. There are many bigger problems out there which are causing them much more ebarassment and trouble.

 

Didn't anyone tell you that this is the mentallity that's causing all the problems with Google! PR chasers are like alcoholics, they are in denial, so sad.

 

Yes, but that is a fact.

If Alive or Aviva or other big directories were offering only no-follow links, they would lose majority of their business.

No matter how much directory owners deny it, most directories are about link juice and not about traffic.

www.gii.in gives free links with no-follow.

If it was only about traffic or advertising, why are webmasters paying to get listed in gii.in?