: Which web directories can I reliably invest in to increase my traffic and search ranking? I've been looking around for some web directories to list my company in that would 1) Feed more traffic

@Steve110

Before you spend too much on investing in a web directory listing with hopes of getting traffic, I think it's important to ask yourself when the last time you went to a web directory to find a site. The last time I did was sometime in the late 1990's. Since then, I've used a search engine. I suspect most other people have a similar story. Any expectations of getting traffic from a directory listing should be tempered.

As far as any SEO benefit, it's just a link. Any importance assigned to directory listings is either very diluted due to the complexity of modern search engine algorithms or non-existent. There are easier and cheaper ways of getting a high quality link than paying 9 annually (like Yahoo's directory).

In short, unless it's free, I wouldn't bother. Even if it is free, I think the only directory I'd bother with is DMOZ.

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@Jamie184

My take: I would say it really depends on the services/products/etc you provide. For example, if you provided services to a limited geographic area, I'd focus on locality based directories. If you're selling software online, then I'd focus on directories that rate/list software.

Simply put, identify directories that relate to the industry or market you're in -- since those will give you the best run for your time and money.

(The above was based on doing directory listings for 1000+ small businesses.)

PS: FYI, dir.google.com is NOT the same data as dmoz.org, based on my understanding. Plus, Google's directory has more link, and... guessing Google treats links from it's own directory just a little better SEO wise... :-)

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@Pope3001725

In addition to those above, some second tier directories to consider:


Best of the Web
JoeAnt
GoGuides


They don't deliver as much traffic as the ones mentioned above, but they do deliver traffic and cost a lot less so the value of your investment is probably the same.

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@RJPawlick198

I would suggest:

www.business.com/ http://dir.yahoo.com/ www.dmoz.org/

Beyond those three, I would not be willing to pay as it could not help you at all. Google tends to give very low PR for incoming links from sites known to be paid directory sites.

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