Directory submission still works? Any real experiences?

Started by strawberrybob, 02-20-2015, 02:53:15

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strawberrybobTopic starter

After the penguin update, many SEO experts consider directory submission as a bad SEO technique. After reading so many posts regarding this I stopped directory submission work. Not sure if this tactic really hurts SEO. Can anyone please share direct experience with recent directory submission technique? Is your website penalized because of directory submission? Any real document, screenshot, images, videos, or emails are much appreciated. Thanks!


RH-Calvin

Directory submissions are expired techniques to build backlinks and generate traffic for your website. But still there are quality directory submissions where your business benefits to build traffic from relevant sources.


BrettUK

You shouldn't stop submitting your sites to directories, just forget about the low quality ones.
You will still benefit from the good ones, especially in terms of local SEO.

softtrix

Directory submission used to be a popular SEO technique in the past. However, with Google's algorithm updates, such as the Penguin update, the value of directory submissions has decreased significantly. While directory submissions may not necessarily hurt your website's SEO, they are generally considered to be less effective compared to other SEO strategies.

Google now values high-quality backlinks from reputable websites rather than mass submissions to directories. It is important to focus on building natural and relevant links that provide value to users.

points to consider regarding directory submission and its impact on SEO:

1. Quality Matters: If you still choose to submit your website to directories, focus on high-quality directories that are reputable and relevant to your industry or niche. Avoid low-quality directories that exist solely for the purpose of link building.

2. Natural Link Profile: Google's algorithms are designed to penalize websites with unnatural backlink profiles. If the majority of your backlinks come from directories, it may raise red flags. Aim for a diverse and natural link profile by acquiring links from a variety of sources, such as guest blogging, influencer outreach, or content marketing.

3. Focus on User Experience: Instead of solely relying on directories for link building, concentrate on improving user experience on your website. Create valuable content, provide a user-friendly interface, and enhance site performance. These factors can positively impact your search engine rankings.

4. Monitor Backlink Profile: Regularly monitor your backlink profile using tools like Google Search Console or third-party SEO tools. This will help you identify any suspicious or low-quality links pointing to your site. If you detect any harmful backlinks, make an effort to disavow or remove them.


5. Niche and Local Directories: While general directories may not hold as much value, niche-specific or local directories can still have some benefits. If the directory is highly relevant to your industry or location, it may help you connect with your target audience. Just ensure that the directories you choose have genuine traffic and are reputable.

6. Link Diversity: Instead of solely focusing on directory submissions, diversify your link building efforts. Acquire links from a variety of sources including guest posting, social media, press releases, and partnerships. This helps create a natural and diverse backlink profile, which is often favored by search engines.

7. Long-term Strategy: SEO is not an instant fix; it requires a long-term strategy. Building a strong online presence involves multiple factors like content quality, user engagement, technical optimization, and off-page SEO. Directory submissions alone are unlikely to have a significant impact in the long run.

8. Relevance and Quality: When choosing directories, prioritize relevance and quality over quantity. High-quality directories that have strict editorial guidelines and vetted listings are more likely to provide value in terms of SEO.

9. Evolving SEO Practices: SEO trends and best practices change over time. It's important to stay updated with the latest developments in the SEO industry through reputable sources such as Google Webmaster Central Blog, Moz, or Search Engine Journal. This will help you adapt your strategies and make informed decisions.

10. User Intent: When focusing on SEO, always prioritize user intent. Make sure your website content is valuable, engaging, and relevant to your target audience. Ultimately, search engines aim to deliver the best possible results to users, so if your website provides a great user experience and satisfies user intent, it is more likely to rank well.

11. Local SEO: If you have a local business, directory submissions can still be beneficial for improving your local SEO efforts. Focus on directories that specialize in local businesses and include accurate and consistent information about your business (such as name, address, phone number, and website).

12. Authority and Trust: Building authority and trust with search engines takes time and effort. Rather than relying solely on directory submissions, focus on creating high-quality content that establishes you as an expert in your field. Aim to earn backlinks from authoritative websites through organic means like producing valuable content or engaging in outreach activities.

13. Analytics and Performance Tracking: Use tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console to track your website's performance. These tools can provide insights into how your website is ranking, the traffic it receives, and the effectiveness of your SEO efforts. This data can help you make informed decisions about your SEO strategy and identify areas for improvement.

14. SEO Guidelines: Familiarize yourself with search engine guidelines, especially those provided by Google. These guidelines can help you understand what practices to avoid and what strategies to focus on for better SEO results.

15. Consult SEO Professionals: If you're unsure about the effectiveness of directory submissions or need guidance with your SEO strategy, consider consulting with SEO professionals or agencies. They can provide personalized advice based on your specific needs and industry.

16. User Reviews and Ratings: Some directories allow users to leave reviews and ratings for businesses. Positive reviews can enhance your online reputation and attract potential customers. However, prioritize reputable review platforms like Google My Business or Yelp, rather than relying solely on directory submissions for reviews.

17. Local Citations: Directory submissions can help with local citations, which are mentions of your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) across the web. Consistency in NAP information is important for local SEO, so ensure that the directories you choose maintain accurate and consistent information about your business.

18. Anchor Text Variation: When submitting your website to directories, vary your anchor text (the clickable text of a link) to avoid over-optimization. Using diverse anchor text that includes relevant keywords and branded terms helps create a natural backlink profile that appears organic to search engines.

19. Competitive Analysis: Analyze the strategies of your competitors to gain insights into their backlink profiles and the directories they have chosen. This can help you identify potential opportunities and decide which directories could be valuable for your own website.

20. Focus on Value: Ultimately, the key to successful SEO is providing value to your audience. Concentrate on creating high-quality, informative, and engaging content that answers the needs of your target audience. By focusing on user experience and value creation, you are more likely to attract natural, high-quality backlinks that positively impact your SEO.

21. Link Neighborhood: Consider the quality and relevance of the websites that are listed alongside yours in directories. If the directory hosts spammy or low-quality websites, it may negatively impact your website's reputation in the eyes of search engines. Aim for directories that maintain high standards and list reputable websites.

22. Nofollow vs. Dofollow Links: Some directories may use "nofollow" links, which means search engines won't pass on authority from those links to your website. While nofollow links may not directly impact SEO, they can still drive traffic and increase your website's visibility to potential visitors. Focus on a balance of nofollow and dofollow links for a natural link profile.

23. Measuring Direct Impact: It can be challenging to determine the direct impact of directory submissions on your website's SEO. In most cases, SEO success is a combination of multiple strategies, and the influence of one specific tactic might be difficult to isolate. It's important to track overall website performance, rankings, and organic traffic to evaluate the effectiveness of your entire SEO strategy.

24. Local Directories and Citations: For local businesses, submitting to reputable local directories and maintaining consistent business information (name, address, phone number) across the web can help improve local SEO. This can help your business appear in local search results and attract customers in your area.

25. Evolving SEO Landscape: SEO techniques and best practices are constantly evolving. Stay up-to-date with industry news, follow reputable SEO blogs, and leverage online communities to stay informed about the latest trends and strategies.

26. Authority of the Directory: When choosing directories for submission, consider the authority and reputation of the directory itself. Look for directories that have a strong online presence, high domain authority, and a good track record.

27. Relevance to Your Niche: Focus on submitting your website to directories that are relevant to your industry or niche. These directories are more likely to attract users who are genuinely interested in your products or services, increasing the chances of driving targeted traffic to your site.

28. Social Proof: While directory submissions may not directly impact SEO, they can contribute to social proof. If you're listed in reputable directories, it can enhance your credibility and trustworthiness in the eyes of potential customers.

29. Local SEO Benefits: For businesses targeting local customers, credible local directories can help improve visibility in local search results. Ensure that your business is listed accurately and consistently across these directories to strengthen your local SEO efforts.

30. Monitoring and Analysis: Regularly monitor the performance and impact of your directory submissions. Use tools like Google Analytics to track referral traffic from directories, conversion rates, and other metrics. This data will help you evaluate the effectiveness of your directory submissions and make informed decisions.

31. Balanced Link Building Strategy: Directory submissions should be part of a balanced link building strategy that includes other tactics such as guest blogging, influencer outreach, content marketing, and earning natural backlinks. Diversifying your link sources helps create a more robust and natural link profile.

32. Check Directory Guidelines: Before submitting your website to a directory, review their submission guidelines carefully. Some directories have specific requirements or guidelines that you need to follow to ensure your submission is successful. Adhering to these guidelines can increase the chances of your website being accepted and listed.

33. Periodically Audit Directory Listings: Regularly audit your directory listings to ensure they are still active and relevant. Over time, some directories may become outdated or lose their value. Removing or updating listings on low-quality or irrelevant directories can help maintain a clean and effective backlink profile.

34. Consider Niche Authority: Look for niche-specific directories that are considered authorities in your industry. These directories can provide valuable exposure to your target audience and contribute to your website's credibility within your niche.

35. Focus on High-Quality Directories: Instead of mass submissions to low-quality directories, prioritize high-quality directories that have strict editorial standards and demonstrate a commitment to maintaining a reputable platform. This can help ensure that your website is associated with credible sources.

36. Reviews and Reputation Management: In addition to directories, focus on managing and nurturing your online reviews and reputation. Encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews on platforms like Google My Business, Yelp, or industry-specific review sites. Positive reviews can boost your online reputation, attract potential customers, and indirectly impact your SEO efforts.

37. Stay Informed: SEO is an ever-evolving field, and staying informed about the latest trends, algorithm updates, and industry best practices is crucial. Follow reputable SEO blogs, join SEO communities, and attend industry conferences to stay up-to-date with the latest developments in the field.

ezeelive

Directory submission still working to increase backlink but keep few things in mind before submission:

1. Submit website only in High PR Directory.
2. Analyze directory website content and link to avoid spam.
3. Submit website in relevant directories only.
Cheers!!
Ezeelive Technologies - Website Designing Company in Mumbai
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kavyasharma561

Directory submissions have value still.

Dmoz.org is highly regarded as a good directory to get listed.

Focus on niche / industry relevant directories where possible. Relevance of inks is key.

Paid directories have less "spam" and therefore a few paid directories can give the benefit of 10's of low quality free ones. Many are very low cost eg. £10 per year.

searchcandy

It is not something I would spend any time on personally, but I know a lot of people still do a small amount of directory submissions - but they have to be high quality - not just spam directories.

yashepe

Hi,
Well, most of the directory ask for the reciprocal links or paid quite review for the submission. I strongly believe if you really want, then look for the good authority directory submission sites that will avoid above two things.

thanks


keiron

Well!! Directory submissions to quality sites still works. Do check the PR and ranking of the site before making any submission.


James10

If you are submitting your website on high domain authority directory sites then is worthy to do directory submission, otherwise please don't do it.