pipes, it won't be only changing how they are labeled. There is a lot coming in the near future. We're hard at work, and look forward to showing you.
So it's not good because blogs don't do it? Blogs and directories don't need to confirm to some sort of rigid site structure. The ones that do, are generally the most boring to read, or offer content that isn't useful in a format that dates quickly and requires constant maintenance. No. I wouldn't be missing that point. And if directory scripts are used for that purpose. Good on them. I'm not talking about directory scripts though. I'm talking about directories. Directory scripts are software. Directories are content. The two are entirely different. Just because one often utilizes the other makes no difference. Those limitations, are your limitations. Don't impose them on everyone else. Directories exist in many different guises. There are service-level directories that people in here would never have heard of that have literally 100,000 job listings on them per day. Just because people in here aren't aware of them doesn't mean they don't exist, and doesn't discount their usefulness. All it does is highlight the ignorance and self importance of people in a very confined space like this. Changing how categories are labelled is a small change. Granted. But again, that's you mis-reading what's been written, or pigeon-holing the idea to something trivial. Some of us like to think outside the box. The idea is a lot bigger than that in my head, but then I'm not constricted by a structured way of thinking. We'll just have to agree to disagree...
Is not a directory simply a categorized list of information? And, like all lists, there are worthless ones, good ones and excellent ones. When I was setting up my free online textbook list, I was originally using directory software. The directory software I was using had major issues with the style of URLs many universities use. And, rather than fix the existing problem, the latest version introduced a new problem with the URLs. I could have paid for a custom fix or I could have switched to another script that didn't have those issues. I opted to use WordPress instead. (After spending $100 on a license I couldn't use, I just couldn't bring myself to invest another $100 to switch scripts.) The fact that I'm using a "blogging platform" in no way changes that I've essentially created a directory of books. Granted, my site would be classified as a "niche" site. But, I don't see how that makes it somehow less worthwhile or less of a directory. I have another site that shares vintage images. It's currently running on a gallery-type script. They removed a core function of my site from the core of the software. There's a plugin but I'm not too keen on relying on it for such an important part of my site. Had the directory software offered better photo resizing options, I would have certainly used a directory script. If nothing else, both of the primary directory scripts offer better search capabilities than the gallery software or WordPress. I've been saying it for years, "directories" are going to eventually become obsolete. Information portals, that are built on categorization and directory software, will always be of use. And, by information portal, I don't mean a directory with a few syndicated articles or news feeds. As to those who can't see David's category idea working...How about this one...Be included in our annual Christmas Shopping Guide. For a one-time payment of $xx, your site and a selection of your top-selling Christmas items can be showcased in this limited time promotion. This advertising option is open to all site owners with existing listings on our directory and will remain on our site between November 1 and January 10th. Act fast as we only have space for 20 advertisers. And, here's another thought, why does it have to be a category. Why couldn't it be a blog post? You do have a blog where you talk about your directory and the sites you list don't you? People need to get away from thinking of all directories as "link directories" and think about how they can be resources for visitors. I cringe whenever I see a directory owner say that directories get no non-submitting traffic. Anyone who truly believes that should expect for their site to eventually fall victim to a Google update because you are running nothing more than a upscale link farm.
Blogs are what instantly enter my mind when thinking how the title of a post is labelled, too long is not recommended for a blog post title and a blog post title is usually longer than a web directory category. I agree that blogs and directories dont need to conform, a good example being that some sites running on wordpress dont even look like blogs when customised and hacked to do what the owner requires. Saying that i still think that a lot of people expect to see what they are used to. Often directories have limited content though so im not sure i would label a directory as content, maybe a more suitable word would be taxonomy. Not my limitations, theres only so much you can do with anything, a piece of paper can only be folded so many times, an apple cant be an orange, i could carefully unpeel an orange and wrap it around an apple but it would never become an orange, its still an apple inside, lol The box is there for a reason, so is structure, people dont like change, especially in an existing market, web directories are an existing market, if you have a new product with no existing market (twitter was an example) then you can be a bit kooky. People seek value, a solution to a problem, and/or entertainment. Or we could disagree to agree Some of us like to think inside the box, lol
Direct link exchanges are NOT effective, there is NO debate. By all means reciprocal link with other sites within your niche, but don't expect to see any positive effect on your rankings. WebDev
Define spam and dead, independently please if you have time. How does such have the ability to be spam while being dead at the same time? And who considers them in this state? Dont bother with the dead, or spam or both of them?
I've got some non-traditional style directories doing very well right now. I'm sure you'll be hearing about these and similar soon. I think we'll see some of the biggest changes in a long time over the next year. It will be a great time to be in the industry once again.
When I built my first directory a few months ago, I made some observations to the existing directory, and the majority of them give priority to link only and no content is sufficient for each listing. In terms of SEO this is a very big disadvantage, and the worst "Penguined". Free and paid the same, as long as it is made with emphasis on quality.
Also a common problem in the industry is focusing only on pagerank. It is very typical to see a whole directory business built around pagerank. There has to come a point where the directory is worthwhile because of its content. Directories built around pagerank are so often very short lived in the grand scheme of things. Certainly there are directories that are profitable as a result of pagerank, but it is such a waste when the directory is of little value beyond pagerank. I would hope directories that are able to achieve good pagerank (say from a backlink from a even higher pagerank site) will choose to do something special, not just sit back and take paid submissions.
It was and end for sure. Might be also for Google the beginning of the end. Not only that he affected what he aimed ( crappy optimization ) but he also affected some good sites with good rankings.
Quality directories help Google to make relations between similar sites, like sites which appear in the same category are often seen on "related: " searches.
This is not an actual blow for people who offer directory submission service to good quality directories. Internet offers many directories and if directory is spammed with advertisements, has low quality then of course it is affected. Directory Submission lost part of its importance, but it still helps a little bit.
Just wanted to tell you that I listened to this! Your words all, haven't fallen in deaf years. So, cheer up
Actually that is a very good idea. Something like that would take a lot of work but would be worth the results in the end. Thanks! Already have a few ideas to run with...