Hey everyone I'm trying to figure this one out - how do search engines evaluate the importance / PR of your directory if all you're fielding is links going out? (I mean, reciprocal links are few and far between). Do they like it when there are lots of high PR sites listed? I figure they do care about what words the site submitters use, too... Thanks in advance! (Oh and if you're interested in submitting links, LinksArena is the place to go!)
The success of a directory first requires that you offer something to your submitters. From what I see below, some are not going to be too happy. There are people, including myself, that have directory lists. The links you get from these lists may help with traffic and PR if that is what you are after. But once again, with 6,000 pending links some people will not link to your directory. With more links will come PR. With quality links comes even better PR. But I'm only seeing 103 backlinks for your directory, mostly from forum signatures or Directory Critic. My records show I added your directory to my free directory list on 1/21/2008. That's 7 months ago. That works out to you getting just under 15 backlinks per month, which is extremely low. If you really want to improve your directory, it needs more attention from you. Review the pending links then start promoting your directory by submitting to other directories. That will help you improve your directory and make it a better resource for those choosing to list with you.
Thanks for the advice. I inherited the site with approximately 6000 links pending and have been hard at work ever since.
Yes you want to focus on both sides of managing your directory, i.e. actively moderating the links that are submitted to your directory while also focussing on its promotion and link building. I've seen many directory owners just focus too much attention on promoting their directories and don't review any links, that doesn't help anybody.