SEARCH MARKETING

What Directories Still Have Value?

Source: BestoftheWeb

Do web directories still have value? Yes! Here are 21 web directories with real traffic that could translate into real value for your website.

In the early days of SEO, web directories were the thing.

Back then, the Google algorithm was a lot easier to game.

If your site was listed on a ton of online directories, it must be pretty dang special – or at least, that’s how the algorithm saw it.

The number of directory links you had positively influenced how well your site ranked in the search engines.

Online marketers caught on, and schemed to litter the web with directory listings of their website.

It was a simpler time.

Where Do Web Directories Stand Today?

Today, Google’s algorithm is a lot more complex.

While links are still one of the top ranking signals, Google no longer views all links equally.

Links from a web directory listing are a lot less influential than a super relevant contextual link from a high-authority site in your niche.

That’s not to say web directories are completely meaningless.

According to Moz research, web directories and local citations still appear to be a small ranking factor – especially for local businesses.

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However, Google’s John Mueller himself has said that directory links “generally” don’t help with SEO.

What’s a marketer to do?

Move beyond viewing web directories as a source for links.

Instead, view directories as a source of traffic and trust.

Any business with a local presence needs to maintain their local citations with a consistent NAP, but web directories won’t help with your SEO much beyond that.

The real returns will be from the credibility and traffic they drive to your business site.

As you begin your search for web directories, keep those two criteria in mind.

Consider these questions before you start filling out your listing:

Is this a reputable site? Put another way: if a customer saw me on this site, would they view my business as more – or less – legitimate?

Is my target audience likely to visit this site? If not, it’s probably not worth listing your business.

Now, let’s get into what you came here for: the web directories that are still relevant today.

Web Directories That Still Have Value Today

In an effort to remain relevant, many web directories of yore have transitioned beyond basic listings to detailed review sites.

Many of the sites I’ve listed below reflect this trend.

I could have included many more on this list, like Jasmine Directory, Brownbook, and Bloggapedia, but based on their current traffic numbers (and lack thereof), I’m not sure they’re worth the effort anymore.

Instead, I’ve chosen to focus on only those sites that are more than a mere citation opportunity for your business.

These are all web directories with real traffic numbers that could translate into real value for your website.

Useful Web Directories for Any Kind of Website

1) BOTW

2) AboutUs

3) Spoke.com

4) Blogarama

5) Google My Business

6) Bing Places

7) Yahoo

8) Yelp

9) Foursquare