What is a Web Directory?

A web directory in it's simplest form could be regarded as a human indexed internet search engine. Humans can search for a directory website and make resource suggestions via an online form. A human editor will review the suggestion and add it to the directory provided it meets the submission guidelines for the directory.

General vs Niche Directories

There are two major forms of web directories on the web, general and niche. An over-all web directory could have it's resources sorted right into a large numbers of categories covering an array of topics. Niche web directories have a tendency to concentrate on one subject with resources sorted right into a smaller amount of highly related categories.

Purpose of Web Directories

The major reason for a web directory would be to provide directory users with a categorized set of top quality websites from the chosen field or industry. With the advent of se's because the preferred way for finding internet resources the significance of directories as information provider's has diminished. But, as internet search engine technology and the field of seo have evolved, a fresh use for web directories has materialized.

Directories and Link Popularity

Current search engine results positioning algorithms place an enormous importance on backlinks to an internet site being an indicator of it's importance on the web (referred to as link popularity). Search engine's value links to websites from web directories because these directories have human editors. Having your site listed in a respected web directory can be an indicator to the various search engines your website has met a particular standard for quality and is really a site worth linking to.

Search engine's also have a tendency to offer category pages from trusted web directories close to the top of these serp's so having your site listed in as much top quality web directories as possible should be section of any online marketing plan, particularly when your site is new.

Getting your site listed in a web directory can be an effective way to build top quality, internet search engine friendly backlinks to your internet site and gain targeted website traffic from both directory users and the boost to your search engine ranking positions from the increased link popularity of one's website.

Please note, it really is worth making the effort to carefully review a directory before making a submission. Not absolutely all directories are internet search engine friendly or provide traffic with their listings so it's around the submitter to assemble as much information regarding the net directory submission guidelines, linking structure and reputation ahead of submitting a resource for inclusion.