Quit Wasting Your Time with Directories
I am going to be your best friend today, or I should say I am going to be the best friend that you have even though you probably won’t listen to me anyway because you are a creature of habit. Creatures of habit don’t change those habits easily.
SEO for Dumb Dumbs
SEO for dumb dumbs (me included) has always followed a very traditional sequence.
- Build a website
- Submit to Google, MSN, Yahoo
- Pay some Malaysian kid from Digital Point 20 bucks to submit to 4000 free directories
- Spam a few blogs to build some links….even though they are probably no follow.
- Repeat the process with the next crappy site.
This is pretty much the recipe that I see on the BANS forum for site SEO. Hundreds of people are doing it and I suspect that these same people are experiencing a very low level of success.
Much of the success involved with niche sites involves quantity. It’s pretty difficult to build just a few sites that will build a sustainable income no matter how hard you try. You need to be able to find a recipe that works and repeat it. This need for repitition can really tie up your time if you let it, so you are well served to determine what actually works and what is a waste of your precious time.
Let’s take a look at each step of the process.
Search Engine Submissions
Yes, no question you want to do this. I continually hear of people that will tell you to NEVER submit your sitemap to Google. Fly under the radar. Stay low and try to keep as much of your site a secret from Google as possible.
This is probably the most retarded thing that any of these retards could possibly say. Especially when you consider that most of them don’t even know why they should do this, only that they read it somewhere on some blog and it seemed like a cool thing to repeat. It would make them seem smart.
Submit your sitemaps. You want every search engine to know exactly what you are doing and everything about your site. If you’re cheating, then maybe you want to stay low….but for most normal people…submit your site as soon as you think it’s ready. Do not submit until it’s 90% complete though.
You can submit to Google, MSN and Yahoo. The rest of them aren’t worth the time in my opinion.
Directory Submissions
This might shock some of you.
Most Directory submissions are an absolute waste of your time, effort and energy. I see so many different people offering “200 Directory Submissions” or “500 Directory Submissions” services both on Digital Point and the BANS forum that it makes me scratch my head in wonder.
Now don’t get me wrong, most of these people are not charging big money for these submissions so most people say why not. Well…if you want to waste 50 bucks then why not donate it to charity or something worthwhile because you won’t get anything from these submissions.
In most cases they submit these to “Free” Directories. Google has looooooong since discounted any links from free directories. They are the scourge of the internet and Google knows it. Google has recently penalized a number of Directories down to a PR0 but even if a Directory still has pagerank doesn’t mean it is passing any juice to you. Check the Meta and the links to make sure they are not no follow.
Just right click on View Source and look for something like this on the actual page you want to be listed on.
META NAME=”ROBOTS” CONTENT=”NOFOLLOW”
There are some Directories out there worth submitting to of course, but they are few and far between. Something that ALL of them will have in common is absolutely no guarantee of your URL showing up. If their only requirement is a reciprocal link, then don’t waste your time. If they list anyone and everyone that sends them a link…you can forget it.
A quality Directory listing will almost ALWAYS cost you money and STILL offer no guarantee of inclusion.
I am not going to name any of these bad directories as that isn’t the point of the article but here are a few key things to look for:
- If they are included in any automated or semi-automated software for submissions.
- How do they monetize? Google adsense everywhere – almost a sure sign they aren’t the deal.
- Minimum Requirements – What does it take to be approved?
- Pay Per Submit type submissions. If you pay you are guaranteed inclusion.
Google is onto this stuff. If you must waste your time then please, continue as you are doing but I’d be willing to be that half or better of these links never even index because the Google Bot doesn’t even crawl the directory anymore.
Good Directories
There are a number of quality Directories still in existence and you really should consider these. I know it’s hard to believe that 2 or 3 quality Directory submissions are worth 50 times what 100 garbage Directory submissions are worth but the simple truth is it’s a fact.
One of the most important things to consider when looking for a good Directory is whether they have an editorial policy or not in regards to submissions. If a human editor looks at the submission and then decides whether to include you or not then that is a good sign. It’s only good though if they actually have a quality standard.
Some examples of some great Directories to consider are:
- DMOZ – Owned by Google. You want to be here….it’s free BUT hard to get included.
- Yahoo – $299 non-refundable to submit and NO guarantee of inclusion.
- Best of the Web – $99 non-refundable annually and NO guarantee of inclusion.
- Business.com – $299 non-refundable and NO guarantee of inclusion.
There are many more out there but these will give you a few good solid examples to work from. Once you see what it takes to be included in a QUALITY directory vs. the other garbage ones then you will be able to recognize what is worth it or not.
I can’t stress enough….A DMOZ and a Yahoo Directory listing is probably worth more than 1000 submissions to any of these other useless directories.
Blog Posting Links
These can have a small amount of value but they are difficult to acquire a meaningful number. To make sure they have ANY value at all they should always be on a site that is relevant to the site you are linking to and they need to be Do Follow otherwise it won’t do you much good.
Yahoo still pays no attention to the No Follow attribute but you’re way ahead of the game to build your SEO plan to cater to Google and whatever else you get is a bonus.
Link Building Alternatives
So what do you do if you have no money to submit to these high quality Directories? Good question because it can be a difficult process. The problem for most people is it takes work and that is simply something they are not willing to do.
They want the easy way out. I am not going to elaborate much on the listings below but trust me they are still very viable and very wroth your time to build links to your sites.
- Article Marketing – Ezine, GoArticles, Article Trader etc.
- Social Bookmarking – Very Web 2.0 and Google adores Web 2.0 stuff right now.
- Digg, Propeller, Delicious, Mister Wong and more…all worth the time.
- Squidoo pages – Build a lens for each of your sites, fill with relevant content and link to your site.
- Hubpages – Hubpages and Squidoo are both Web 2.0 and currently very popular.
- Zimbio – A form of blog posting combined with Article Marketing.
- Directory Submissions – QUALITY Directories. One Yahoo DL is worth 500 crappy ones…easy.
Article Marketing is currently my favorite and most productive free method of building backlinks. I write most of my own content and outsource a small part of it. I haven’t had the greatest luck with outsourcing content as most of the services tailored to this offer crappy writers.
So I write my own and I write it the way I want it to sound. Takes longer but oh well.
Conclusion
So in summary I don’t think it’s too hard to figure out my position on this subject. I usually am fairly outspoken and tell it like I think it to be. I should say that I am in no way any kind of an SEO professional and nor would I claim to be.
I know what I know and I write what I write based on my own personal experience from building a number of these websites. SEO takes time and it takes work, just like building your sites. If you think you can build a site in a day, submit it to Google, buy a 200 Directory listing package and sit back and count your money then you are wrong.
I am going to keep working my ass off today so I won’t have to work at all tomorrow.
.
Learn to Build Niche Sites
I enjoyed your article, good food for thought. The only thing I don’t understand is why we should want the blogs we post on to be No Follow or they won’t do much good. Do you mean Do Follow, or am I totally misunderstanding No/Do Follow?
Bunny – Good catch….I missed that in my proof read. It should most definitely be DO FOLLOW. Thanks for keeping me straight.
Whew, glad it was a typo – otherwise, I was going to be very confused!
Thanks!
Directories have been dead for a very long time now and i have`nt submitted to any i have built up my backlinks both naturally and by use of web 2 websites.
David,
Smart man. Unfortunately most people still think Directories are worth the time. I read a post the other day from someone who claimed to spend an hour a day submitting to Directories.
Granted it’s only an hour a day but that’s an hour he could have been spending somewhere else.
I am so agreeing with you. After submitting my blogs to blog directories, I keep checking my stats and barely ANY visitors at all are coming to my blog via those blog directories. I noticed that a few months ago…of course I still stay listed with them “just in case,” but I’m seeing no traffic from them. Articles, yeah baby, that’s the ticket.
We’ve pretty much found the same through experience as mentioned in this post. However, it was interesting to hear the Yahoo is ignoring the ‘nofollow’ attribute.
[...] The Blog Entrepreneur – Quit Wasting Your Time With Directories [...]
I can’t agree on this since niche directories do very well
Not sure if you read Aaron’s article about that, maybe give it a try.
http://www.seobook.com/archives/001583.shtml
Directories are not totally dead actually..
There are still handful of directories which have loads of content more than what a normal website has..
So you can’t go totally away from directories, but still as you said.. people who just rely on directories for building backlinks have to spend little time for that purpose. Directories are not the only sole link builders!
@Manuel – Yes I read Aarons stuff occasionally but I am still quite skeptical for many reasons. First niche directories in most niches….are very rare so how much does it matter and 2nd I assure you that even if a niche directory does exist, if they become a haven of abuse like most directories are today…then they will become useless too.
@Chetan – I didn’t say to go “totally” away from directories….I said most of them are crap and that you should be discerning where you spend your time, effort, energy and sometimes money. I still believe that.
Definitely some great points here, but I think SEO is more an art than science. Anyway, your point about link alternatives is definitely key. Generally Squidoo seems much more helpful in directing traffic and growing link rank than it ever could be as a revenue stream from the content you actually provide. Another point is that not all social networking sites are created equal. Just as not all directories are. Experimenting with these and tracking where most of your traffic is coming from is a great trial and error method.
@Shawn – Art or science…it doesn’t matter. Unless you become proficient at it, you will not make it as a niche site builder. As for the social bookmarking…agreed. I have a list of approximately 15-20 social bookmarking sites that I use regularly…..including a few that rank well but don’t seem to be widely abused by the spammers.
Hopefully they will escape Google’s wrath. As for traffic….me personally, I don’t aim to gain a drop of traffic from bookmarking or link building other than the traffic that comes from ranking well for my keywords. I build links to rank, not to drive traffic.
Yeah good point. I would also invest my time more into good articles, unique content and internship linkbuilding to rank some # higher.
Good point, Bill, on the overall goal of SEO, which is of course SE rankings and not direct traffic. You can certainly get higher traffic using any of the classical advertising strategies, but it’s pretty much proven at this point that hits originating with a keyword search are much better than if someone clicks on your ad, for example, since a person looking for something specific is a better potential customer.
[...] Quit Wasting Your Time With Directories, by Bill from The Blog [...]
The characteristics of bad directories you mention are on point, however, there are still some high PR and quality free directories that give a nice backlink, and there is also the traffic aspect, I actually got 2 sales from a couple of directory referrals on my BANS site. I don’t usually pay for submission, I do it myself, if you hit 10-15 a day it only takes about half hour.
Thanks Bill, good blog just signed-up.
JR
Directory Submission is very helpful for a developing site but to make it more stable on the online platform; lot of SEO methods are kept in mind. Thanks for introducing this topic to all.
great read bill. This is something I have been looking at alot recently and I think article marketing is definetly the way to go.
@JR- I am sure their might be a few but the writing is on the wall. How about sharing one of these “free” but “quality” directories with us so we can see what you are talking about?
Excellent post! Lots of good info for future reference
Winning Startupss last blog post..Business idea raises money for nonprofits
You have mentioned some excellent points in this post. Few things I will remove would be DMOZ from quality directories. Too much corruption. Alot of spammy sites get in, some sites are dead and are still in. I don’t really count it as a quality directory.
I will have to second the free directory submission from some dp member for $20. Although there are more than the ones that you listed … There are more paid directories that gives a good backlink.
Social Bookmarking is the key to survive in these days. I have never really liked Google Webmaster Tool. Now you can call me an idiot if you like.
I would rather just keep the sitemap of my site linked on the mainpage and have google bot visit it that way.
SEO have many techniques just like an art. It is an art and many people try it differently. You have mentioned some great points here which I will take away with me. This was my first post I read on this blog. I enjoyed it.
Syed Balkhis last blog post..9 Tips to be Successful Online
@Syed – Sorry but as long as Google gives DMOZ weight…then DMOZ is just fine in my book. I continue to hear people talking about how bad DMOZ is…but honestly…none of OUR opinions matter. What matters is what big G thinks about it.
Here is your chance to prove me wrong…..WHY do you not like Google Webmaster Tools? What FACT based reason could you have for not liking it?
Great post. It is true that those link farm sites and random directories no longer help much with SEO. It is much better to spend budget on quality links on related sites.
Oh No! I’m a Malaysian and I’m still a kid!
LOL.
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Now you can say I am wrong.. but I will believe what I experienced. I submitted a sitemap for one of my sites in the webmastertool. The indexing of the site slowed down. Rankings start to drop. I removed the sitemap… and It went back up. I tried it again the same thing happened. Therefore my personal experience say not to use webmastertool because of that.
Sure to report sites, to have complaints, to give feedback I use it. But not for Sitemaps.
Now you can say I am wrong but I particularly don’t care because thats how my experience was.
Once again there is a difference between people who blog for content and those who suck G’s ass to get the highest PR. I am not one of those. I would rather have my site listed in those places that will get me more users, quality link weight.. rather than a big ok from G.
I think directories like BlogCatalog and MyBlogLog still have some value. I am also into article writing but it is quite tedious. Currently, I do no more than 4 articles per month, so I got to improve my productivity.
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Bill, Bill, Bill… there are easier ways of building BANS sites than what you mentioned. Though, you do need to do some keyword research and know some SEO…
And no, directories are not a waste, it helps with your backlinks to your site. But I have more to say, though, I’m at work right now lol
Jay
Jays last blog post..Current Projects: Testing Out Different Niches, Site Flipping, Design Work, Etc
@Jay – are you drunk? I didn’t mention any “way to build a BANS site.”
Please…enlighten us with your wisdom…..we can’t wait……but please…….if you want to bluster or bloat…..show us one of your sites…..share your genius……so we know you’re not just another ebook expert.
How about a video of you logging into your EPN account so we can see how much you make….blur the passwords and domains of course.
[...] Directories aren’t nearly as valuable as you’d think. With the wide variety of link-building options out there, there are a lot better options. Not only do many directories require a link, but The Blog Entrepreneur points out that many directories are nofollow. [...]
there are a few good directories like DMOZ and YAHOO like you mentioned but a lot are a waste of space lol
$299 for Yahoo seems like a lot of money for what you get. I skipped that one, maybe I’ll reconsider.
Winning Startupss last blog post..Free Pink Stuff recipe and history of Cherry Mash
If the budgets permit, I will certainly go for a paid directory than those free listings which is just a complete waste of time. Though DMOZ is favored by Google, the barriers to entry is pretty high if you ask me.
Thank you for the tips. Very insightful.
Yan
Blog for Beginnerss last blog post..20 Possible Ways to Optimize Your Blog
Finally – someone who doesn’t like directory submissions
IMO they are a complete waste of time, and I know many methods that build links much much faster and the links are worth a lot more
Otooos last blog post..Affiliate Marketing For Beginners
yes, i have wondering about this, and after submitting my sites into thousands of directories, but i found no positive results.
Dilson Decanos last blog post..Sunday Link Love 2
I think everyone has their favorite way of promotion for their website. It all depends what works for you and what techniques work for your particular niche. I like many of the points mentioned in this article. I’m actually looking for information on setting up my own blog and came across this website. Thanks for the info. Great site!
We must listen to what Google guys preach all the time “Content Is The King”
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[...] you do lots of directory submission, here is what TheBlogEntrepreneur has to say to you - “Quit Wasting Your Time with Directories“. Is he right? Read it and judge for [...]
Very good post. Thanks for the info. I landed here from Yan’s blog also dropped entrecard!
Nihars last blog post..October 2008 Blog Traffic & Income statistics
I think the smart people are telling others not to submit to search engines. That way, less competition for the smart people.
I agree about Directory submissions. For my latest site I have only submitted to about 50 Directories – the ones I know in the past have emailed me and included my site in their Directory.
Out of the 100’s you submit to, I dont think many approve, then the search engines have to find you buried somewhere in the site. Seems a waste of time these days.
I
ts true that again, nothing is a easy as submiting to a few bum free Directories. I afraid its “pen to paper” and get writing – for article submissions and the like.
Bill,
I love your blunt way of putting things, it really makes me laugh.
I’m glad I read your review about the pointless nature of submitting to link directories. I was really beginning to wonder about this.
Here is my experience: A while back I submitted to approximately 1500 link directories over about 4 months using a semi-automated software (it fills in all of the fields for you).
Today, when I checked my Google backlinks, most of the directories were not there (maybe about 5 are showing as backlinks that Google will recognize).
So there you have it with real stats. I won’t be wasting any more time with link directory submissions.
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I ordered one of those directory submission services once. Didnt really do anything for me.
Directories submission can be good if you are properly placed and in quality directories. However like you stated you can’t just submit your site to 200 directories and then just sit back and count your money. It doesn’t work like that.
Gerald SEO Tips Blogs last blog post..7 Deadly Blogging Mistakes
The very fact that you have to pay for some and not for others is definitely a sign that something else is going on. If the alleged link love is true as promoted then there’s no way they’d give it up for free…
Never the less, the “takes money to make money” rule is a frustrating reality that I’ve sworn to bust wide open…
Quote From MythBusters:
“I reject your reality and substitute my own”
Market Secrets Bloggers last blog post..Blog Traffic For Free
Hehe, your post isn’t going to make the people happy that are hawking those worthless submissions!
Very useful article (and quite entertaining to read, too)! I’m a new blogger, and I knew not to submit my URL to the free directory submission sites.
Overall, I’ve found the whole process very time-consuming. But I’m definitely going to try out ezine and other article sites. Thanks for the tips!
Diana Freedmans last blog post..How to Improve Your Website’s SEO Using LinkedIn
Very useful information Thanks
which hotel u staying at and where ya headed? vegas?! thats where im going in a couple of weeks
-jack
Yeh, most directories have not been worth the time and effort that it took to sign up for them. However, every now and then, we find a diamond in the rough that pays off big time.
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I have submitted my first website in lots directory, I think if you lucky you will get more traffic. So IMO submit on directories sometimes worth to take
hi, i have a question regarding article submission. you said that it is one of the things you normally do. is it really effective? and, is it possible to make a blog top google (very small niche and few competitors) just by acquiring links via article submission? thanks for your response!:)
Great lessons here for sure, for the beginner in building seo for their website. I strongly agree with alot of time being wasted with most of the directories out there today.
Till then,
Jean
Ok Bill this article was interesting. I need to know about duplicate content though. You mentioned submitting articles and such. I have been submitting articles to ezine. Some of my blog postings are formal and structured well enough to be submitted to article sites like ezine. My blog is fairly new. What I want to know is if I submit articles to ezine that are also posts on my blog, will this be considered duplicate content by the search engines.
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