Why We Don’t Use Non Human Edited Directories
April 26, 2011
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This blog covers local SEO which is dominated by Google, Google Places and the need for citations. The blog also covers just about any thing related to Google search results and related topics. I hope that you might glean some useful resources while you are here.
Why We Don’t Use Non Human Edited Directories
Using directories to build backlinks to your website was once a very useful website link building practice. If you are not a student of the website marketing community you might still think it is a vital useful tool. Just go to any SEO or webmaster forum and you will see dozens of threads about free directories and submission tools.
Many of us have known for some time that backlinks from directories have been devalued by the search engines for some time now. But like anything questionable in this industry it is best to get Google’s opinion on any subject.The best source of acceptable practices is Google webmaster guidelines.
These guidelines are an SEO bible of sorts. The guidelines offer a very clear picture of what is good website behavior. Until recently, Google only recommended two directories and they are both human edited directories. This should have been a hint that Google no longer values these mostly useless links.
However, in early 2008 Google did recommend the free DMOZ directory and the paid Yahoo directory. This was because they were human edited and appeared to be spam proof. That has changed with Google removing its reference to these directories in late 2008. For us this is a very clear indication that Google does not value directory links.
I have been trying to explain on forums for about a year that Google has devalued directory links. I have meet with fierce resistance until this recent development. It is somewhat amazing how people get certain web based marketing techniques ingrained in their marketing efforts and have a difficult time giving them up. There have been multiple video’s produced by Google representatives on this subject.
What it all boils down to is this. Almost all of the easy links building methods have become obsolete. The reality is that link building has become a much more difficult and time consuming task. This is why we are such a big proponent of creating great content that is worthy of linking too and the use of ethical link building practices.
Are you still using non human edited directory submissions?
What say you?
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Comments
3 Responses to “Why We Don’t Use Non Human Edited Directories”
People who have a hard time giving up certain marketing techniques are going to have a short lifespan with their online marketing. Techniques change all the time; these people need to adapt or find a different career, I think.
As far as directories, I totally agree but thought I’d add another small point. While they are mostly all but worthless these days, there are also so many out there that people stack on the same ip that it can be detrimental to a person’s site. Well, it could be detrimental anyway, but even more so if they end up getting a bunch of those same ip directories via a mass directory submission service or some such.
.-= Noah@internet marketing blog´s last blog ..The Power of Asking Intelligent Questions =-.
Well i do not think that those non human edited directories are good, since they are very very likely to be spammed and most will fail since machines are easier to be tricked than humans…
That is why i also use commentluv on my blog as well and manage it by myself… I do not have an anti spam software but i have learned to quickly notice spam when i see it so the process of cleaning up is easy… Perhaps one of the reasons is also that my blog is not huge and there aren’t too many visitors but i still think i will be doing this, or if not and i get too busy i would hire someone to check my spam for comments :P
It was a nice and interesting read and thanks for posting this :)
Admin: CFG, You have a nice looking site and high PR which is good. However, if you want a link from here you will need to learn how to use Keyword Luv properly.
I didn’t realize that DMOZ and Yahoo! weren’t such important factors anymore. I guess I’ll stop worrying about them still not getting around to reviewing my submissions.
.-= Josh Braaten´s last blog ..Internet Meetups for Minneapolis, St. Paul and Beyond =-.
Admin: Josh, you misunderstood the point here these sites are useful becuase they are human edited. Google stop recommending them becuase it was encouraging the growth of lousy directories that let everyone one. Google gives credit to only human edited directories.