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Search Engine Management : Directories And Their Importance For Search Engine Rankings

About Directories

A directory is simply a web site containing a categorized listing of links from around the web. They aid surfers to locate the 'best' and most informative links for a particular category. For example, a category may be called 'Home and Garden' and in this category there is list of links about home improvement and gardening. Directories consist of a collection of categories into which links are separated. Categories can have sub-categories to make the division of links more specific.

Directories are important tools in building link popularity and gaining improved search engine ranking. They are an excellent source of inbound, one-way links, the most powerful types form when building link popularity.

There are a multitude of directories on the web at present. They range from general directories that include categories for almost everything, to specific directories that contain categories targeting specific areas of interest, e.g. web sites about fishing. It is helpful to get your web site listed in as many directories as possible, as this will help you beat the competition in search engine rankings.

Going about getting a listing varies between directories, as each has their own process. Some directories require a fee, but most do not. Many directories offer a mixture between free and paid listing. When you pay to get your link included in a directory, it is normally added within a week and its addition is guaranteed. On the flip side, a directory offering a free listing can take anywhere from a week to several months to add you, and also there is no guarantee that the link will be added.

Some directories use other approaches to run your link listed. For example, the directory JoeAnt Directory requires you to register as an editor in order to submit a link. The Zeal Directory requires you to register as a member, but first you must complete and pass a 20 question quiz to prove your worthiness.

Directories to Submit Listings

Getting listed in quality directories such as DMOZ or Yahoo can be more beneficial for your link popularity than many links from smaller, newer directories. It is therefore useful to know to which directories to submit. The following is a listing of some of the higher quality directories:

• DMOZ

  http://www.dmoz.org

  The most important directory that exists on the web today. Getting listing in this directory is critical if you aim to achieve top rankings.

  • Listing - Free
  • Time to get listed - 1 to 6 months, maybe even longer

• Yahoo Directory

  http://dir.yahoo.com

  After DMOZ, this is probably the next most powerful directory to have a listing.

  • Listing - Free or paid
  • Time to get listed - Free inclusion can take several months, paid inclusion a few days

• Zeal & Looksmart

  http://www.zeal.com http://www.looksmart.com

  These two directories are very closely related as Looksmart owns Zeal.

  • Listing - Zeal: Free for non-commercial sites (sites can only be submitted after passing a 20 question quiz) but paid for commercial sites. Looksmart: Paid
  • Time to get listed - Zeal: Free inclusion can take 1-2 months, paid inclusion a few days Looksmart: A few days

• JoeAnt

  http://www.joeant.com

  JoeAnt is a directory that is growing in popularity.

• Gimpsy

  http://www.gimpsy.com

  Operates differently to other directories. Web sites are organized according to question asked.

Necessary Information for Directory Submittals

When submitting a link to a directory, you will more than likely be asked to provide the following information about your web site:

• URL
• Title
• Description
• Keywords that describe it

Before submitting your listing, prepare this information in advance and use the same details when submitting to all directories. As often as possible, place keyphrases that describe your web site into the Title text and Description text you submit. This is especially important in the Title text. This technique is known as anchor text optimization.

The reason directory ask site owners to provide descriptive keywords, is so that it can use them as flags for your site in response to a directory search. So, for example, if I submit the keyword 'lawn', I have a better of chance of being listed in the directory's search results when someone searches for the keyword 'lawn'. However, be sure to focus more on writing keyphrase-rich title and description entries than keywords when submitting, as these are weighted more heavily.

Directory Submittal Tips

• Submit your link to the most appropriate category
  Every directory dispenses this advise as it makes listing your link easier for them. This point should be stressed though, as it not only makes the directory editor's job a little easier, but speeds up your listing. Further, search engines will look at the other links surrounding yours, and if they are of a similar theme, this can boost your rankings.
• Be patient
  One point to remember about directories that provide a free listing, is to be patient. If you are not paying to be in the directory, then your listing has a lower priority than paid listings. It can take several months to get into some directories, so it can be frustrating. The best thing to do when you submit is to put it out of your mind.
• Keep a log
  One of the most useful things to do upon submitting to a directory is to note the directory name and the date of submission into a log of some sort (try an Excel sheet). This prevents you from submitting to a directory more than once (keeping the editors happy) and gives you the satisfaction that you are getting something done. When your link is listed in the directory mark it off in your log. Job well done!

Summary

Submitting your link to directories is an excellent way to build your web site's link popularity and gain improved search engine rankings. There are many directories out there, ranging from the general to the specific, each with their own link submission processes. Prepare keyphrase-rich text that accurately describes your web site to submit to the directories. Choose the most appropriate category for your web site before submitting.

Submitting to directories requires a little effort and a lot of patience. Your search engine rankings will reflect the extra effort.

About the Author: Frank Kilkelly is a Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Expert and Webmaster at http://www.seo-ireland.com/, a complete search engine optimization resource.

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