Directories: Are They Really Useful?

[Belthazar]

When I say directories, I mean submission directories, not promotional topic type directories. Do you think those types of directories do anything except give you a decent backlink? I have never scanned a directory for new forums or websites, and I don't know anyone who has. So, in my opinion, most directories are completely useless. What do you think? Are submition directories worth your time?

 

[Ash]

Do people even look at directories anymore for forums? I mean they might for promotional forums to promote their own site but personally I don't think directories are useful

 

[Thomasss]

You mean topsites?

I mean..whoever invented topsites needs to rethink their strategy. The only thing topsites are good for is having backlinks to your domain and some more SEO results, in most cases though topsites don't even offer any kind of SEO gains so, with that I really don't think they do anything for your forum, website, porn video, or whatever. The only people who look at them are submitting their own sites, and are literally only their to vote on their site, someone else's site, or there for their own gains. Like most promo forums, people go there, submit their site, and leave. They're rather useless imo.

 

[Kane]

This topic was created in 2015. At that time, directories were considered one of the best tactics to build backlinks for the site. But these days directories are considered link farm and does not work.

 

[cpvr]

This topic was created in 2015. At that time, directories were considered one of the best tactics to build backlinks for the site. But these days directories are considered link farm and does not work.

Directories are still relevant for backlinks, exposure and driving new users to your website. They’re still a good source of traffic in 2024.

 

[Shortie]

Directories and top sites were something I used to use a lot quite a few years ago now when I started a general chat forum that I ran from 2009 - 2017. Back then they seemed to work well but nowadays, I don't feel they have the same effect as they used to.

 

[Tracy]

This topic was created in 2015. At that time, directories were considered one of the best tactics to build backlinks for the site. But these days directories are considered link farm and does not work.

Unless you aren't using them for that and actually using them to provide data points for users.

Link Directory

Link Directory for Astro What?, providing a wealth of links to external resources.

astrowhat.com

is an example over on my site. Just the astronomy club/observatory listing contains over 650 entries broken down by geographical area.

 

[Nomad]

One of the main reasons for submitting your web link in directories is for backlinks. These days Google penalize sites that offer a lot of do follow backlinks. Therefore, I do not think directories are useful anymore.

 

[Tracy]

These days Google penalize sites that offer a lot of do follow backlinks. Therefore, I do not think directories are useful anymore.

That's why you set them as nofollow.

<div class="p-title-pageAction"> <a href="https://www.adamblockstudios.com/" class="button--cta button button--icon button--icon--redirect" target="_blank" data-xf-click="ldClickCounter" data-item-id="136" rel="noopener nofollow" data-xf-init="tooltip" title="https://www.adamblockstudios.com/"><span class="button-text">Go to website</span></a>[/TD]
/div>

And as for "useful"... it's a LOT easier finding something in a list like this

or this

than having to go use a search engine then pull up each individual site.
Of course, you may be thinking of a directory as a simple list of sites with no additional data. I look at it more as a directory like you have in a paper format.

 

[cpvr]

One of the main reasons for submitting your web link in directories is for backlinks. These days Google penalize sites that offer a lot of do follow backlinks. Therefore, I do not think directories are useful anymore.

It all depends what type of directory it is. If the directory is selling links, then yes, google will penalize you. Also, if the directory is low quality, the site will get penalized.

 

[Tracy]

It all depends what type of directory it is. If the directory is selling links, then yes, google will penalize you. Also, if the directory is low quality, the site will get penalized.

That's the difference between doing something like that for money, and doing it for benefit of others and trying to do it "right".
Usually the "done for money" gets overly abused, then penalized.
The ones that use it like I reference (and like I do) typically do not have a negative impact, and in fact in some ways can enhance the SEO for your site.
Of the 780 links in my site directory, all were created by me so there is no "juice" there for anyone.
And instead of saying something like we are the greatest widget producer in the world you have descriptions like this for the LD entry.

The Albany Area Amateur Astronomers (AAAA) fosters public interest in astronomy. We are have nearly 150 members: beginners, experts, and everyone in between, who are privileged to share their enjoyment of astronomy with the public.

We meet on the third Thursday of the month at 7:30 PM at Siena College, in Room 226 in Roger Bacon Hall, with the exception of the month of August, when we meet at the George Landis Arboretum in Esperance, NY, weather permitting. Note that class schedules may sometimes require a change to our meeting date or location at Siena. (Look under "Meetings" for more details.)

All meetings are free of charge and open to the public. Meeting programs include speakers, films, slide shows, and planetarium demonstrations.

We hold public observing sessions, called star parties, at the George Landis Arboretum in Esperance, Grafton Lakes State Park, and other sites. The club owns an 18 inch telescope, and members bring a variety of other telescopes to these gatherings. We are happy to share the views of deep sky wonders or offer help to those new to the hobby. Our members can also offer advice on how, where, and what to purchase for you or your family’s first telescope.

All club activities are open to the public, and you do not need to be a member to participate. But, if you are serious about astronomy, please consider joining the club. Benefits of membership include the Abrams Sky Calendar, which is a monthly publication from Michigan State University for sky watching without a telescope; discount rates for magazines and books; our monthly electronic newsletter, The Celestial Times; and the use of the club’s loaner telescopes.

Now, as for paying to submit my site into a "link directory"... not going to happen because generally those type are just what you describe... useless.
Much rather work on generating distinct content and letting the search engines do the work.