Hello all, Google (and other search engines; but for this let's call them collectively 'Google') is in the business of providing the best editorial results for its surfers, in the hope that those regular searchers will more likely click on adverts, providing targeted traffic for the advertisers - the real clients. Using algorithms, Google can weed in and out what it thinks will be most suitable for itself and its surfers. Inbound links form an important part of this because they require human judgement; something a googlebot simply doesn't have. Someone has to go and view a website, make a judgement and then add a link to their own page - a seal of approval if you like... Whilst this idea works in theory, the quality of the link means so much more as everyday passes. Google can distinguish between a linkfarm and a 'Blog of the Month' listing in a major trade publication related to your niche - and it can distinguish the VALUE of each of them. So surely there is very little, if any value in submitting to small web directories which are either starting out, or have been built from the ashes of a deceased domain or whatever. Surely Google can distinguish a select group of directories which it cares about and values - Yahoo Directory for example. The value in the directory comes from it's own credibility; editorial policy and quality of links going to it. I'm not just talking PageRank - Growing PR is an uphill climb but manageable. However, I think Google is clever enough to disregard 'PR' and focus on what it reckons is for real and what isn't. People can manipulate PageRank which could influence search results - so Google will simply block that with algorithms in order to serve its own interests. Specifically talking about directories though, what is the point in submitting to low-PR, mass-approval directories. You're simply trying to build search engine credibility for yourself. If I gave you an analogy of say rock-climbing with the #1 search results at the top of the cliff - Yahoo Directory listings would be the firm and steady "trustworthy" rocks, whereas your www.ex-niche-domain.com PR3 directory which looks alright is the one which will fall out - possibly even making you fall down the rankings. People talk about how link building should all be about quality; directories need the same treatment surely. Find a directory with an editorial policy that Google cares about - I'm not suggesting only submit to directories with an iron-fist, but simply ones which take care over their listings. They needn't be high PageRank either because a) they'll grow in popularity from Google etc if they're really high quality and b) they may well grow in PageRank over time. Why not seed your links early on? ** Directory Owners: Yes, there is the balance between quality and quantity of reviews - but that's a lifelong question surely? Excel at building your own directories credibility (PageRank and search engine recognition). If you can offer true, unique value "a directory listing with me will make Google take notice" will offer you something unique (which you can charge extra for). Nearly everyone can and will offer PageRank.
If you get your link placed "now" in those newer directories, then it is going to be established and maybe there is trust in that over time, rather than waiting till the directory is PR5 then submitting to it, and possibly a bunch of other mid to high pr directories which might not look very natural at all and simply look like an attempt to get a pr bump for the submitted site. Todays PR0's do become tomorrows PR1, PR2, PR3 realistically. Plus they are either going to be free or incredibly cheap. Remember that all brand new websites start off as PR0, the only way is up from there, as opposed to submitting to a dropped domain directory called ricecrispies or something, that is a PR5 but we all know what eventually happens with those types of directories.
Submitting to directories might be a gamble. Some established directories take 6 months to approve and may not even approve them. With new directories, I agree with pipes that it's less of a gamble to get approval, all you placing your bets on is whether the directory editors are going to promote it and will it become/remain a quality directory.
I agree that people should be looking for quality directories and making submissions there. But, come on, that's hard work. It's just so much easier to start pounding through a list and hoping that the effort will pay off. I think that webmasters would be better served by starting with the directories in their niche, then branch out to some of the well established general directories. Then when they can't find any more directories that meet their quality criteria they can start submitting to the low PR general directories...but consider them like lottery tickets.
well there are enough of good directories, with pagerank and authority - why not start with those anyways?
If I see a PR0 directory that is even new but I can see that the owner is working on improving it, I will submit to it. Otherwise I'll wait until it is bigger and with more authority
Why would google give any weight to any link gained by self promotional methods (ie directory submission)
Because Google can't find all the sites on the internet and decide their importance/relevance by itself. It needs the help of directories. It used to need them more than it does now, but it still does
As I say in my original post, the value of a directory listing is in the human judgement. A directory editor has to visit the website and make a judgement. Like with any links, this is what search engines love. They are robots, not humans and take note of human actions. Perhaps I should start a new thread - "list of directories which take time over their editorial policy: add yours here". Hey, Google might even take notice! ** On the subject of ploughing through a directory list, I downloaded the SEObook toolbar which allows me to instantly analyze several on page factors for the web-page I'm looking at. It's a Firefox add-on and you can download it here: http://tools.seobook.com/seo-toolbar/ It means I can 'plough' (for use of a better word) through a directory list and then end result be much more productive. I can use my time and energy submitting to only the highest quality directories.
Googles priority is in producing a profit! It's revenues stem from advertising. To get advertising clients it needs traffic and it does that by building a brand and offering the best, most relevant search results to surfers. Where you come into play in all that is giving Google a reason why your content is up to it's surfers standards. Is it relevant (keyword population) and is it credible (human satisfaction - links, time spent on page, depth of visit etc.) Which back to the original question; why does one or indeed many PR0 directory listings make the slightest bit of difference!
All the more reason for Gooogle to have an interest in directories going out of business, so folks will spend more money on adwords.