NOTE: This thread is NOT for anyone to come and post a link to their site and say "oh mine is the best etc etc". If you do waste your time link dropping, your post will just be removed any ways - so.........

Having said that:

My question is how do I know a good directory verses a "bad" directory?

What specifics do I need to learn to look for when I go to a directory, BEFORE I submit my link, that tells me if a directory is good, bad or ugly?

I was talking to g1smd about this subject and he said he is not the directory expert, and to post this question and ask others - however he did notice that I have already linked to some directories that he said were gray bar ones....... sigh.

So anything to help me NOT get into trouble, please feel free to teach me

Much Appreciated,

Beth

[ Message was edited by: JimBot 12/23/2004 02:44 pm ... Reason: Tidy BB code. ]

for a start, i would suggest checking out the directory google page rank as linking to a directory that has a low pr can damage your pr

i would also suggest checking its alexa ranking to see just how much traffic this directory gets

it has also been suggested that you check the meta tags of the directory pages to make sure that they are set up to be indexed by search engines (otherwise a big waste of time once again)

serge

"What specifics do I need to learn to look for when I go to a directory, BEFORE I submit my link, that tells me if a directory is good, bad or ugly?"

1.A good directory should have nice, clean and professional look. Not annoying pop-ups, not too-much ad. Very good navigation.Usability is a great factor when judging the quality of a good directory. So check that out.

2. A good directory also offers a large number of categories.

3. I like free submission.

4. If the submissions are reviewed by human editors.

5. If the directory is populated by quality sites.

6. Forget the PR game, check if the directory delivers the right kind traffic you want.

7. If the pages are indexed.

Hope this helps.

Thank you sayantan - you have been a huge help

Beth

There is one caveat too. Some directories accept 'free submissions' but the submissions go into a blackhole. Nothing is done on your submission. I am compiling a list of such 'directories'.

Is it good, bad or ugly for a directory to ask for a link back to them?

Beth

If they ask for a link back/reciprocal link, then they are not a directory, but a link exchange farm.

OK - got it - Thanks

Beth

If they *require* a link back and then proceed to check it with an automated program, they would be an exchange farm.

If they *ask* for a link back, I wouldn't consider that an exchange farm.

Thanks RenKen

Beth

I keep away from directories which give redirected links

good directories:

- no redirect
- no use of the "nofollow" in the url pointing to your site
- static pages
- high PR
- free
- quick validation
- high traffic
- easy navigation system
- web site alone on the his ip
- not too many links

What do you consider too many links? Sincere question.
Do you mean too many links in any one category.
Personally I don't like directories with a lot of law suit, gambling, weight loss, questionable products, get rich schemes
mugwort2

More than 30 to 50 links per page starts to become much less useful to visitors.

for a start, i would suggest checking out the directory google page rank as linking to a directory that has a low pr can damage your pr
Is this true? I am eager to get the answer.
quick validation is a factor for good directories. I dont think so. Because DMOZ is slow.
If it require a link back,is it really useless?

Steven

There is one main thing to check for every time submitting to a directory. Redirects. Put your mouse cursor over a directory link, and if it comes up as something other than www.yoursite.com then Google won't count it as a link to you. If Google ignores, then you better ignore it. If they require a recip then don't bother. You are wanting a one-way link, not an exchange. I'd rather pay a few bucks for a link than have to put up a recip somewhere.

Those are really the most important thing to check. One thing NOT worth checking is PR. The directory you are submitting may have a PR of 6 now, and be banned tomorrow; or have no PR and have 5 on the next update.

I totally agree with portprophecy, pay special attention to the way they express your url.

In addition, don't bother with sites that r filled with ads, esp. popups. Look for someone who operates the directory b/c of his/her interests, motivation for better quality, better things, not for more money.

Look for clean links unless the directory itself looks like sending you some good traffic.

In addition to the above which will definitely see you good, it can be noticed that some directories will run advertisments which are inappropriate, to the page that they are on. This will distort the focus; though the "invisible" js is less harm.
Extreme example; A "work at home" link/ad. could be on a page with listings of "Lifestyles and Entertainment".

It can also be seen that some recent directories get a lot of aspects right, but name their categories, in fashions which seem cool to themselves, rather than appropriate. Example; "Puters".
However, with a little time, they may come around.

The number of listings on a page should ideally be limited as mentioned earlier to decrease load time if nothing else, from a human perspective. This though, would assume that human visitors and thruough traffic, was a factor in submitting to a particualar directory in the first place. A lot of directories have major benefits, without even been seen; while some are specifically designed with this factor in mind.

Regional implications:
For maximum benefit, regions should be broken down and broken down as far as possible.
Example; A directory's purpose will be limited if you wish to list a "bed and breakfast" business, but you only have an opportunity to list it under a "regional name/country" like Cypus. As opposed to a listing under "..../Cyprus/Bed & Breakfast".
You will get an incoming link all right (except where the no follow attribute is used, as correctly mentioned above) but some of the focus potential will be lost.

Where it may be the case that a well known directory has no such regional definition, then a local one may be of more worth.
Example only; A bed and breakfast directory which is specific to Cypus and Accommodation/b&b.
If this is the case, then one could expect more traffic as a result of that listing. (Though one might consider it from a foreigners view as well, whereby they might use a non-regional search engine. In this case, listings in both local and broader directories, should help).

I suppose that it depends on what an individual wants, really.
An incoming link, link plus traffic, link plus pr, etc..

[link]

This Web Directory is built to offer long term benefits for websites listed there:

- It is very simple and more content oriented for long term search engine ranking value.

- It is also SEO optimized on many levels including page titles and straightforward urls

- It uses direct (not redirects) links to websites.

- Offers an Adsense revenue sharing option

- It can be maintained and updated with keeping account and login information.

The branding is cool too.

[link]

Oups, just read about the initial notice. sorry about that.

i was wondering about websites that ask you to put something.txt into your website's public root folder, is that a good idea, i've seen some, including exchange directories, i haven't done it yet, should i ? thanks.