Are directory listings still relevant for SEO?

24 replies
  • SEO
  • |
It used to be very popular to try and get a listing in Dmoz and the like. I don't hear much about directories anymore. Do they still provide SEO value for rankings?
#directory #listings #relevant #seo
  • Profile picture of the author sweezeter
    In short, no.

    These days directories bring nothing but penalties and a loss of rankings. Avoid them at all costs.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9818626].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Dokemion
    Your question about directory and your signature doesn't rhythm man.

    For Matt's Sake Google your question man instead of trying to open a thread here in warrior forum just to get your signature up.

    Btw, high quality traffics that doesn't pay-off doesn't count!
    Signature

    Contact me for any SEO Services you need I'm glad to be of your service.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9819144].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Michael Shook
      Originally Posted by Dokemion View Post

      Your question about directory and your signature doesn't rhythm man.

      For Matt's Sake Google your question man instead of trying to open a thread here in warrior forum just to get your signature up.

      Btw, high quality traffics that doesn't pay-off doesn't count!
      OP is posting a reasonable question in the correct sub-forum. Exactly as he is supposed to be doing here.

      There are few directories that will help you. Having a Brick and Mortar business gives you some additional opportunities, but online only businesses, not so much.
      Signature


      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9820110].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author sweezeter
        Originally Posted by Michael Shook View Post

        OP is posting a reasonable question in the correct sub-forum. Exactly as he is supposed to be doing here.

        There are few directories that will help you. Having a Brick and Mortar business gives you some additional opportunities, but online only businesses, not so much.
        Few and far between these days. Most of the time the cost associated with these directories far outweigh the pros.

        I am however open to suggestions you have regarding directories worthwhile for offline companies that don't charge and arm and a leg.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9820944].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author Enuke
          Yes!! if 95% directories are in spamming box so experts say "Directories are dead" but still some directories are very useful.
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9820962].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author cchandran
            Originally Posted by Enuke View Post

            Yes!! if 95% directories are in spamming box so experts say "Directories are dead" but still some directories are very useful.
            Directories are not dead, there are some good directories available, try to submit in them.Go for relevant directories which suits your niche. Directories are not useful in backlink generation. So don't submit the website unnecessary in all the directories.
            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9821058].message }}
            • Profile picture of the author sweezeter
              Originally Posted by cchandran View Post

              Directories are not dead, there are some good directories available, try to submit in them.Go for relevant directories which suits your niche. Directories are not useful in backlink generation. So don't submit the website unnecessary in all the directories.
              Yes actually directories ARE dead.

              Relevancy of directories have very little to do with anything. As I have said before, do not waste time on directories. If you do you'll end up with a nice fat penalty and will spend thousands cleaning up the mess.
              {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9825475].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author SEO Power
    Originally Posted by AndrewAdamSmith View Post

    It used to be very popular to try and get a listing in Dmoz and the like. I don't hear much about directories anymore. Do they still provide SEO value for rankings?
    The non-spammy directories do still provide valuable backlinks, but they are few and far between. And it's no longer safe to have many directory links in your link profile due to the aggressive penguin penalties being dished out.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9819882].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author debharrison
      Submitting to a load of directories will do you no favours whatsoever.

      Having said that there are still a few good directories that are worth getting listed on, for example niche directories, and if applicable local directories.

      Originally Posted by AndrewAdamSmith
      It used to be very popular to try and get a listing in Dmoz and the like.
      Yeh good luck with that, I have tried to get some of my websites listed there and despite following their guidelines religiously, I have still yet to see them!! Is anyone actually still alive at DMOZ?
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9820109].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Siyaagarwal
    Yes the directories is not good on these days because here is he 80% are in spamming.But still there are some directories is very use full and give the good results.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9820992].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author scottmacair
    Using directories for SEO value is not a good idea but using a directory for traffic i.e. a niche directory that is used and useful, it's worth getting a submission there.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9821758].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author FreedomBlogger
    Not really.

    Search Engines are changing. Backlinks do matter but not as much when it comes to a ranking factor.

    What search engines are looking for now are Social Network Shares and Comments on the page. Basically, the more interaction and engagement is on your blog post, the more it will be considered as valuable information to the search engines.

    Simple to understand in order to rank up!

    Today's SEO is more about QUALITY than Quantity!

    I wish you the best of the best!

    Keep up the great work for sure!

    Cheers!
    Signature
    At the beginning, I thought making money online with a blog was super super hard. Not anymore. Learn the art of making money online blogging - step by step - HERE.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9821782].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author scottmacair
      Originally Posted by FreedomBlogger View Post

      Not really.

      Search Engines are changing. Backlinks do matter but not as much when it comes to a ranking factor.

      What search engines are looking for now are Social Network Shares and Comments on the page. Basically, the more interaction and engagement is on your blog post, the more it will be considered as valuable information to the search engines.

      Simple to understand in order to rank up!

      Today's SEO is more about QUALITY than Quantity!

      I wish you the best of the best!

      Keep up the great work for sure!

      Cheers!
      Agreed - Search Engines will / are moving towards looking more at engagement as a signal but links, for now, still matter!
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9821827].message }}
  • Try to find a directory that is .edu or .gov, I get good link juice off a .edu directory for the brick and mortar company I represent.
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9822070].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author bryan2015
    Yes it still works,Directory submission is the best one back link technique but you should make sure it would be not spammy directories.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9822380].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Natalie89
    It depends on your purposes and quality of listings.
    If you are doing local SEO you should include your business in different directory listings, but check their quality and rankings first. Search engines count this in local rankings.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9824077].message }}
  • Getting listed in quality directories like Alltop, all the top stories certainly has SEO value but bulk submission to spammy directories will do more harm than good.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9824145].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author BishalBiswas
    It may not directly affect your SEO, but MAY help you increasing your Brand's Authority in eyes of search engine, and is initially a good thing.

    So, yes.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9824174].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Hudson White
    Directory submission is beneficial if you do it on sites with good PR and domain authority. Also, the site should be relevant to your niche. You can check with yahoo directory, dmoz.com, jayde.com, viesearch.com etc.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9824266].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author turboshandy
    I've stopped using link directories long time ago! They used to be a great tool, for both traffic and rankings, but not anymore. Other 'stuff" counts nowadays. Things change
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9826419].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author bambinoes
    People have stopped getting obsessed with them simply because they are no longer as useful as they were back then.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9826435].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author johnben1444
    I will still give up anything for a backlink from a quality and moderated directories. Paid ones fall more into these categories.
    Signature
    Grow your social media account, Spotify Streams, YT Views & IG Followers & More
    Software & Mobile APP Developer
    Buy Spotify, Facebook Bot & IG M/S Method
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9826454].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Top10SEO
    Some directory listings are quite valid, like yahoo, yelp, bing, mapquest, citysearch, whitepages, local.com, merchant circle and several others. That being said, the vast majority of spam directory sites that sprang up by the tens-of-thousands the past several years are what you want to stay away from.

    As has been previously said, get your listings in quality (read authority) and niche directories, and don't post on any of the spam directories, which you can spot because they typically just have categories and links with no other supporting content or other redeeming values.

    SEO has changed A LOT just this past year. If you really want to help your client start getting them 'VALID' customer reviews and Google+ likes/reviews.
    Signature

    Top 10 SEO
    SEO Company

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9831800].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author PBMax
    Yes they are, but not necessarily for SEO. They are for brand awareness and being a valid traffic source. For local, these and stellar on-page meta + content is all you need to rank.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9831835].message }}

Trending Topics