It puzzles me why posters in this section start threads asking for submissions to their "new directory". Most of us who have been around a while have very little time or interest in submitting to "new" directories. Almost none of them will last. I am looking for established directories, which won't quickly go belly up or sell out next month to a porn or Viagra site!
Most of these new directory owners want to populate their directories. Rather then hand pick their own submissions, they solicit others to do the submitting for them. Now at this point whether they actually edit those submissions is a different story. Some actually do. This would be true of the many larger directory networks and certainly a large percentage of the remaining directories. And I've been around a while and still submit to new directories and know many others that still do as well. Unlike well established/old directories which accept free submissions, new directories tend to perform reviews in days and not months. There also are fewer competing listings in new directories. And those directories which sort listings by the date received offer early submitters the opportunity to get listed towards the top of their chosen category. If you are looking for established directories that will last, and offer reviews in a reasonable time, chances are you will find paid directories more useful. Most free directories (not all), simply do not have the revenue to pay for good editors, added features or even the hosting bill. Trust me, I'm tired of seeing those free directories that turned into parked domains, redirects, etc. It's frustrating, but then that is the nature of getting something for free.
Agreed there's more and more just 'fly by night' / spam directories. Personally I just avoid the .info's and ones that look like spam. Couple gems however that will go paid and this gets you in free when they start. Look at the URL, says a lot. ie; hsjkfks. info vs. greentreedirectory. com (sample no directory there) Then take a quick look at the template, and latest links that have been approved.
Good advice, donttrustthisposter. I'm rethinking my original post and my approach to new directories.
I've submitted to some .info directories and one of them must have copied their entire database and used it on all their other directories. It's almost like having an article syndicated and picked up by many other places!
Also occasionally new directories that are free grow into paid directories. It is quite satisfying when you revisit a directory with your link, several months later to see it has improved, and is no longer accepting free submissions!
You do have to start somewhere. True that the great majority will never amount to a quality, money making directory.