Elements in Directory Submission
By Rosanne Lim on Apr 27, 2008 in Seo
If you’re trying to increase your search engine rankings, one of the first methods you should consider is to link to as many legitimate directories as possible. Usually, directories have a higher PR compared to the usual link partner. Also, since they bring one-way links to your site, your PR won’t become diluted by outgoing links. But before you submit your site to directories, it is important to carefully determine what your directory listing will be, some elements you need to consider include:
1) Title – the directory title should have the keywords you want to rank higher; it is recommended for you to use your webpage title if possible. Take note that some directories will only let you include the company name of your site but many others are not so picky.
2) Description – most directories allow you to include a description of your site. So make sure that this description is rich keywords that are important to your site.
3) Category – another aspect in directory submission is selecting the right category. Look at the available categories listed before you submit your site. Categories are essential because it improves the chances of site acceptable, it will also help your site rank higher in the appropriate category.
4) Keywords – some directories allows you to tag your site with certain keywords as well because it will help searchers find what they’re looking for. So before you submit your site to directories, have prepared comma-separated keywords you will submit.
It is especially important for you to be careful when submitting to the <Yahoo! Search Directory as well as the Open Directory Project because they have the highest PR. In addition, these directories have human editors who check your descriptions and category. Make sure that you follow their instructions specifically before submitting. Make whatever changes are necessary to the prepared entries you already wrote to get your site listed.
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11 Comment(s)
By Ryan on Apr 27, 2008 | Reply
Getting into DMOZ is pure luck, and it could take anywhere from a day to 5 years! lol - great directory to be in though.
By Nashville SEO Zombie on Apr 28, 2008 | Reply
Do you have any good suggestions on a directory list? I have a couple of sources for directories, but I keep finding directories that take forever or code breaks, etc etc
There is good directory submission software, but is there a good list I can suggest for those who hand submit?
And I agree about the DMOZ comment… good luck…
By kredi karti on Apr 28, 2008 | Reply
Thanx for such a greating information.
By backlink on May 3, 2008 | Reply
I personally stay away from directories, apart from Yahoo and Dmoz. Big waste of time. Google is well aware that most directories are only used by webmasters to gain backlinks. It even cracked down on hundreds of major PR7 directories such as Alive.
By Stockton Real Estate on May 3, 2008 | Reply
this info is obvious for me but i had forgotten Dmoz. Thanks though
By West Covina Attorney on May 4, 2008 | Reply
Rosanne,
It would have been nice to discuss the directories you would have recommended and why. Nice article though. I just want to add the following:
I agree with Backlink that Yahoo and Dmoz are considered to be high quality and trustworthy by Google.
Both Dmoz and Yahoo have editors that screen out requests. The Yahoo directory cost $299.00 to be evaluated. If it accepted, there is a recurring annual fee of $299.00 every year thereafter.
The only downside to the Yahoo Directory is that the editors may put a different title to the one you really wanted. Why does this matter?
The directory title will often overide your page title and could affect your ranking in the SERPs. Thus for example if your name was Dr. Bob Jones, a cosmetic surgeon that does breast implants. (I am making this up.) Your page title is Los Angeles Cosmetic Surgery. But the Editors at Yahoo may list this site as Dr. Bob Jones, M.D. Thus perhaps inadvertently, your ranking in the SERPs for the keyword Los Angeles Cosmetic Surgery may go down because of your directory title of Dr. Bob Jones, M.D.in the Yahoo Directory. Who the heck is going to type in “Dr. Bob Jones, M.D.” if you never heard of the guy. Thus your ranking for “Los Angeles Cosmetic Surgery” may go down because of the way your title is listed in the Yahoo Directory.
However, many people feel there is still value to a listing in the Yahoo Directory because Google considers trustworthy. The editors of Yahoo will respond within 7 days to notify you if your submission was accepted. You can add your site here. https://ecom.yahoo.com/dir/submit/intro/
The DMOZ directory is hard to get in. Some people have never gotten in. Many report they have gotten only one of their sites in. It is considered trustworthy because of the editorial review process. The link is http://www.dmoz.org/add.html
As far as the other directories, Google gives greater trust value to directories that do have a review process for submission.
For directories that simply accept everyone for simply paying a fee, they are viewed with less weight by Google for the simple reason as it appears the directory is just selling PR.
George
By Marc on May 4, 2008 | Reply
@backlink - I agree, I submit for DMOZ a week ago. Man it would be nice to get listed
@Stocken Real Estate - I agree, a little basic and not enough resources
@West Corvina Attorney - Wow your commment was better than the post:)
By Mark Venardi on May 5, 2008 | Reply
I have heard some people say to submit to lots of directories. I thought it mattered where your link came from and that it needed to be a related site?
Re: DMOZ - I submitted two sites to DMOZ several months ago, both very similar, one was accepted almost immediately, the other - who knows.
By West Covina Attorney on May 8, 2008 | Reply
Mark Venardi,
“The quantity, quality, and relevance of links count towards your rating,” according to the Google Webmaster Guidelines.
George
By exfatguy on May 16, 2008 | Reply
Thanks for the tips and valuable information.. but i definitely surprise with the DMOZ comment… is it really true?
By journey on May 17, 2008 | Reply
nice pointer there. 4 important elements for directory submission. i usually focus on keywords only. time more changes