Why is Google cracking down on directories?

Why is Google cracking down on directories? Are they trying to make money off Google Directory in the future?

 

May be because Directories are used in spammy ways to manipulate Search Engine Ranking other than Classifying links in categories which was their main objective.

 

How are they spammy?

 

I didn't say all directories are spammy. There are many good example of human edited Directories. I think the best example is dmoz. But Directories are used by some black hat people to spam specific keywords for money which are bad and it should not be encouraged for organic search result. Nobody has the right to manipulate search result through money.

 

too easy to build a directory these days, so many directories out there with domain not make sense.

too easy... to be ignore.

 

DMOZ is just as outdated a the rest of them.

 

I agree with your words.

 

It is simple - Only a few of them have quality. Directory value has been diluted by Google because of abused from webmasters all the times. Most of them just created a bunch of useless directories, may be thousands and put their links on sidebar. Those directories are rarely or never approve any submitted websites, just solely being used for link network purpose.

However, not all directories are cracked down. Some qualities are still remain. You have to selective on paid inclusion with quality ones and ignore the remains. Not all directories are worth enough to pay, even $1 lifetime is not worth if it is crappy.