Google is no longer suggesting that you should be listed in relevant directories. In fact, they've even removed the suggestion from their webmaster guidelines, as Brian Ussery noticed. The page used to have bullet points for:
- Have other relevant sites link to yours.
- Submit your site to relevant directories such as the Open Directory Project and Yahoo!, as well as to other industry-specific expert sites.
Those points are now gone in what would appear to be a slap in the face of directories, but SEO folks are the ones really irritated. Google doesn't appear to see it as a slap in the face so much, but more of simply a non-needed guideline.
Barry Schwartz points to a quote from Google's John Mueller in a Google Groups thread:
"I wouldn't necessarily assume that we're devaluing Yahoo's links, I just think it's not one of the things we really need to recommend," said Mueller. "If people think that a directory is going to bring them lots of visitors (I had a visitor from the DMOZ once), then it's obviously fine to get listed there. It's not something that people have to do though :-)."
Mueller also asks for feedback, "What do you think - does it make sense? :-) What else should we change / add / remove?"
Regardless of what guidelines are on the page, a relevant link is a relevant link. There are still directories like our own eBusiness Directory that don't offer paid links, and keep the listings quality without getting flooded by spammy and irrelevant ones by using a strict human-edited approval process (call it a shameless plug if you want, but it's the truth).
There is going to be a lot of outrage over this, but is it really necessary? Perhaps too much focus has been put on directories like DMOZ anyway.
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NO ONE WILL REALLY DMOZ
I have tried endless times to get listed in dmoz but gave up in the end.
even applied to be a editor no luck, what you havent got you don't miss.
I have now joined a online community with over 200,000 members
and have seen visitor numbers rise over 40%in 6 months. Also google crawl them like crazy.
Any one interested its 100% free and run by BT.http://tradebusiness.at/YTT12
MICK UK
It's all about the money...
Google, like lawyers and Doctors, do not care if you are innocent or guilty, right or wrong, sick or well, healable or terminal, they just want to know if you have enough money to pay their bill.
Google, wants you to PAY for getting top listings. Don’t tell me that Google advertisers get low rankings. Same as when you PAY for an ad in a local newspaper, GEE miraculously they choose YOU to write a feature article about!
It’s all about the money.
Google is dropping directories like DMOZ just to force merchants into PAYING for higher placement, it has nothing to do with content or relevancy.
It’s all about the money.
We started our online business www.T-Zers.Net way (for free) back when most things on the Internet were FREE, (including Netzero, which proclaimed in early ads that the "Internet was meant to be free" - and it was, but now…
It’s all about the money.
Internet companies have to pay their execs big salaries, then justify that to stockholders, and not to mention all the other expenses of doing "business" - but that is where they lost it. It was never meant to "be" for business.
Now it is little more than a candy coated version of your television - which also by the way "used to be free" - for those of you who remember the days of UHF and VHF - which was PAID FOR by Advertisers - now YOU pay to receive PAID advertisements… something wrong with that picture…
We have operated for over ten years without having to PAY for advertising. We started out with Free internet access, a Free website, Free e-mail accounts, Fee listings on search engines and directories, when "content" put you at the top of the list - not your wallet.
But, we, like all the other on-line merchants will eventually succumb to their demands, we have no choice - change or die.
Your So Right!
Amen! To add to this comment a little further, Google keeps telling us to have more relevent content and that they want to offer the user a better experience. It's all about providing the searcher better results. However, no matter what you are searching for, the top results are almost always articles or content. I dont want to read an article!
If I want to buy a red pair of shoes, I want to search for a red pair of shoes and when the results come up, I want someone selling me a pair of red shoes. But really what happens is, I find a bunch of articles on buying a red pair of shoes.
However, look to the side where the adwords run and you can buy plenty of red shoes. It is not about providing the user better results with more relevent content, it is about pushing the vendor to buying clicks for Adwords, plain and simple! Now, the natural results are full of worthless articles and useless content. But, Adwords is making a killing!
Wake up
Most people don't realize how much Google depends on DMOZ. Sure they use 200+ factors to determine SERPs, DMOZ is one of the top 5. Maybe this means they will kick it down and reduce its weight but don't count on it. They are just pulling their cards in closer to the vest. They tweek the filters and weights all the time.
From what I see in my own results DMOZ weighs maybe half as much as it used to. This is probably true of all backlinks from sites that Google guesses are directories.
The million dollar question is what did they increase the weight of?
DMOZ
I have always found directories to be useless and I have never used one to find a business or service. It takes 5 times as long to use a directory than it does to simply type key words into a search engine. I only submit my sites to Google, Yahoo and MSN and they always get very high rankings just from those 3. It only takes mere minutes to submit to all 3 and it eliminates the time and BS associated with trying to deal with the likes of DMOZ .
I have always suspected that directory links were way, way over rated. Good quality content will get you much farther than trying to perform directory hocus-pocus. As another person said earlier, most directories are nothing more than a way for their owners to build spam email lists.
DMOZ???
I don't know why DMOZ is recommended by many webmaster. All I know is without get listed in DMOZ, I still get what I want. Honestly, I already submit some of my blog to DMOZ more than 6 month ago, but I don't know when my blog is listed there. So, I better use Mybloglog, Blogcatalog and other Blgo submission than DMOZ :P
Is it really worth the effort to get a higher pagerank?
My suggestion is that you as a web master don't spent much time dealing with pagerank!
Spent all that time to write quality content. That's much worth in time that the pagerank where Google can take you for a ride!
by the way the webmaster tools, in external links now display the pagerank of those site as well
Not all directories are created equal...
I have my safety and security web site listed in tons of directories and I've been trying unsuccessfully to get listed with DMOZ for over two years. After all of this, I'd have to say that the money spent on the Yahoo Directory has been well spent.
I'm tracking many visitors each day from Yahoo but none from the other directories. Although Google doesn't recommend it any more, signing up with the Yahoo Directory just makes good business sense.
Page Rank
I've heard rumors that Google is removing page rank from google toolbar another of their strategies on keeping people from worrying about their page ranks and more effort on content.
Backlinks
I think backlinks are still working, Google just doesn't want people to put too much stress on backlinks. They want sites to put more effort on adding content rather than have people constantly exchange mostly irrelevant backlinks.
Directories
"I had a visitor from the DMOZ once" HAHAHA "a visitor".
I think they don't need to stress being linked in directories as a valid form of improving google find your site. About time that page was updated.
ODP, so fast so good
Considering the Google speed in crwaling our website i think ODP is really boring, infact some reviewers take months to deny the inclusion of a website.
I usually do no waste my time in ODP
DMOZ emails
Web Chick - Where do you find the email addresses to contact the editors at dmoz? I looked and don't see email links or addresses at the bottom of the pages that I am trying to submit to. Maybe that is why you only received 5 emails since 1999. No one knows how to email the editors. :-)
www.specialtysoapshop.com
Dmoz Editing
I am a HUMAN dmoz editor...
We are not to add sites that have primarily affiliate links on them. So if that is the type of site you have it will never get listed. Also not listed are duplicate sites with different names.. realtors (worst offenders) who try to have 2-20 different sites all pointing in the same direction.
The BEST thing to do to get listed if you feel you are being ignored and have followed the guidelines for your category is to email the human editors that appear at the bottom of the page you are submitting to.. or up the chain a few. I have edited there since 1999 and to date have received 5 letters.
I hope that all the effort that the 1000's of us have put in isn't getting devalued.. I guess only time will tell.
PLLLLLeeeeaase help!
Dear My Web Chick,
I'm probably asking a lot here, but you may very well be a lovely person who doesn't mind helping someone out!
My Dmoz category has no editor, so even though I don't really have time, I applied for the position. In my application, one of the three sites I suggested was mine (cheeky!).
The reviewer wrote back that one site had affliliate links, and one was already listed in Dmoz. I can't see affiliate links on the other site, and I know mine doesn't have any!
Would you please have a look at my site and ascertain if there is any possible way it looks as though I have affiliate links? I REALLY don't want my site to be giving the wrong impression.
This newby would be very appreciative of any assistance you bestow upon me, Web Chick. Blessings upon you if you help me!
http://www.happylifementoring.com
Jackie xxx
DMOZ
Every year for the last 3 years I have been submitting my business site to DMOZ and I have never been successfull. I have added to the same directory and my competitors and my site have no banners or any useless information. This irritates me but I do not wish anything onto them. I think there are a lot of people on the web that hold Dmoz dear as they take the time to maintain their respective categories. i only wish success for DMOZ and nothing less.
what!
They are really cutting our legs out from under us and this is going to force the buying of links to increase.
unlikly that backkinks are over
Dmoz is one thing and directory links are another story.
The reason google likes Dmoz is because it is human edited. If for some reason google decides to put less emphasis on dmoz for some reason.
why should it mean the whole links system is going to collapse ?
Please do not insult ODP
Please do not insult ODP editors like this.
I am an ODP editor (for one of the adult categories) and I list submitted sites in one week period... if it's any good.
Good means original content.
Do not submit sites with 2000 banners on main page...
Most sites are rejected because of submitting in wrong category.
All adult sites MUST go to adult part of DMOZ.
Cheers
Good update
It is nice to know that Google are updating their webmaster guidelines pages at all. There have been some comments about the fact that Google was promoting buying links from Yahoo Directory when they are generally so anti paid links.
We've had mixed results getting sites listed in dmoz, and I haven't noticed that the ones that are listed are doing any better than those that weren't. The guidelines needed an update to reflect the fact that a couple of directory links isn't going to help your rankings these days, and I'm glad they have done it.
Directories = Spam
I'm not surprised by this at all. I think a good cull of the directories and a move from being human edited to the paid for inclusion model will result in a better picture of relevant sites.
We've seen sites like Mahalo move into the search space to fill the directory void - resulting in human edited search.
DOMZ is too hard to submit
I personally submitted my sites to DMOZ, but 6 months past, there was no response from them. Anyone has a good way to resolve?
Dmoz - it is not over yet.
I have submitted my site to dmoz 6 months ago with know reply, amother one has been admitted after a year. There are very few sites in its category which is image hosting : http://www.pic4.us
Still it takes them so long to get a site listed.
I Dont think google can through away its directory listing , otherwise he would have to give up the whole linking process.
Some directories bad
I've noticed that some directories I've added my site to have never been crawled by google, or google has never had the intention to consider my entry there as a backlink.
As far as I can tell, even with a small amount of backlinks google has indexed several of my pages and is sending traffic to them, listed on the first google search page.
So I'm not sure about the importance of backlinks after all.
DMOZ editors
I know one company with 16 DMOZ listings and guess what? They have a bunch of ex-academics and phDers working for them a lot of whom happen to be DMOZ editors. Of course any company must leverage any legitimate advantage it has; however DMOZ is just not a level playing field.
I have been doing SEO for
I have been doing SEO for over 6 years now and I can tell you that quality links can never hurt your site. Regardless of if they are on a directory or not.
- Brad
USA Gambling Network
ODP
It's about time the pompous self-righteous arrogants asses at Ropey ODP Dope get what has been coming to them. Now they can go back to being nobodies like they were before their editor applications were approved. So long Kopeki, you dunce. I hope people in the future have an equal opportunity to interfer with your business and your family's well being.
Oh Well
Like any good Internet Marketer we tried to get on DMOZ.org to no effect. We did buy listings on yahoo and BOTW recently though. Regardless we keep trying to have fresh content and user fiendly design. Good luck to all.
Stef
http://www.energyeffieicentbedding.com
DMOZ
DMOZ folks said earlier this year that I didn't have enough experience to be one of their editors. So, I built two sites offering over a thousand links under 60 plus categories. Hard work got my first site to the top of the first page of all of the major search engines in 3 months, without directories, and without paying for it. In real estate it's "Location". In optimizing, it's "Content, Content, Content". That and learning from informational sites such as this one are key to success. The time you lose with experimenting could be better spent building content. Search engines "do" love content.
DMOZ
Although I am not as 'search savvy' as all of you above, I have noticed too that DMOZ has not listed any of my submissions even after waiting the time that they say it takes to get 'listed'. I don't know...maybe I don't cross my t's right or something!
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