Not link pages, but programs (web dirs) that offer free submissions and non reciporcal and one way free - some questions: What is the point? How do you benefit? I offer a freebie portal and moderate it!! It gains me nothing in return, why should I bother, So I am changing to paid bidding or recip.
If you look up the meaning of the word - portal. You might find that you've answered your own question. There are other uses for a directory other than making money off submissions.
Some people create websites as a hobby, with no interest in selling anything or running ads. People do this with many different kinds of websites, including directories.
Sorry for off topic, but i notice submitters are attempting to plant url's into the descriptions on your directory (one in your sig) but the links are not live, is there something wrong on your directory?
I am keeping my free web directory as a "test rat" for MODs, tweaks, SEO tests, etc and of course to promote my other websites
free web directories have lost the value, it only bring me a lot of spam submissions especially from india~! yeah, almost 60-70% from google analytics. these are directory submission companies and use the software to make my site down due to the busy of database, and the most important thing is no paid listing never from them.
If this free portal that you moderate is the Million Links Partners directory in your sig, then you aren't moderating it very well because it looks like a link farm. I checked out this category: http://www.millionlinkpartners.com/dir/381/General-Merchandise No editing at all of the user-submitted (and many look auto-submitted) titles and descriptions. Massive keyword stuffing and people trying to include URLs in the descriptions. Poor spelling, grammar and a serious lack of proper capitalization. This directory is a spammer's paradise. I can understand why such a free directory gains you "nothing in return."
I've been saying this for the past two darn years: people make these 'free' web directories in order to extract emails and spam the hell out of everyone.
I have my niche directory free because content is king. The greatest asset a directory can have is links within its categories, so the more quality sites I have listed the better. I pay an editor a few bucks to find and add sites so to charge a webmaster for simply adding his doesn't make sense. I don't get many submissions so don't yet expect to be paid to review them as it isn't time consuming. As for general web directories, Rob is right. Its one of the easiest way to build an email list and also gain easy traffic which brings an excellent sale value.
can't rep...need to spread first, but you are right. In the past, from almost each and every free directory I submitted, I regretted few days later because of the spam
When I opened a couple of months ago I left the capcha off. It is now on, Some spam did slip through in the beginning and I am still yet to clean it up. Thanks for looking around and letting me know.