It is true, however, only when executed correctly. Directories on the Internet, if I recall, were as the Yellow Pages of the Internet that assisted people in their day-to-day browsing. But the landscape has changed over the past few years. If you do not submit to the proper directories, it is possible to get lost within the Internet world.
Furthermore, in the present time of highly sophisticated search engines and becoming more sophisticated Internet users, getting the SEO results you want through online directories is a highly long cry.
Yet another reason users are losing trust in directories is the poor-quality hyperlinks obtained from poor-quality directories, which can harm their SEO efforts. That is something that Google recently introduced following the controversy over Panda and Penguin updates.
Does this indicate that we should cease sending directories submissions? It's not necessarily the case because directories on the internet can improve your SEO if the task is completed correctly. But, here's the helpline.
Directories are large databases that contain a vast amount of websites, categorized by their categories and subcategories. Some directories are free and paid, some of them generally accept websites, and others only accept a website or post.
The process of submitting a directory is simple. The initial step of the process of directory submission is to conduct research. Find out about reputable directory submission websites suitable for your area of expertise. After you've narrowed the list of highly-rated directory sites, it's time to follow the steps below.
There are generally three kinds of directory submissions within Digital Marketing, and they are:
For this kind of directory submission for Digital Marketing, you need to pay to submit your site.
The advantage of choosing paid-for web listings is that they offer immediate approval; otherwise, you'll need to wait for 3 to 6 months. Certain websites also provide the option of a yearly or lifetime plan with the same.
Paid backlinks aren't an option, leading to a Google penalty.
In this kind of directory submission to SEO, submitting a site to the web directory is for free. All you need to do is give your URL, choose the category and give additional information.
It's a long process, and you may not receive approval immediately. The process of gaining traffic and links using this method could take anywhere from 6 to 12 months.
For this type of directory submission for SEO, You will have to include a link to this directory on your site. Only after the link to the web directory on your website is enabled is the website directory able to accept your website.
In this way, the time frame to get approval will be brief.
As we've mentioned, If you are planning to use directory submission to help with SEO selecting the appropriate directory is crucial.
To make sure you are safe in the web directory maze to avoid pitfalls, we've created some points to consider when making an application to a directory.
Relevance isn't a thing to be ignored in the context of directory submission.
You want your site to be discovered by relevant search terms. If you have a florist, you don't want your site displayed when people look up pizza shops. So, staying with the directories specific to your business is crucial.
One method by which you can find out if a website directory you are looking at is in line with your specific niche is to search for your keyword. If the directory is responsive and provides you with a list of relevant articles and blogs, you can apply.
Another method to ensure that you adhere to a pertinent web directory is following blogs within your field and following their directory registration recommendations.
Each directories' performance is not on the same level.
It's only when you select an appropriate directory of high quality that you'll benefit from the submission. Make sure that Google is indexing directories.
You can select a well-known directory for your area of expertise. If you'd like, you could choose paid submissions, and that will make the whole process much faster. Keep in mind that when it comes to links, Google advises focusing on the quality of your content over the quantity.
Suppose you don't want to submit all your article's informational graphics, images, and other content all at once to a directory. In that case, you should opt for a scheduled submissions schedule at a later date.
That will yield more outcomes. By doing this, you can determine whether the directory submission caused negative SEO for your website.
Keep in mind that, as a result of the Google algorithm changes, the search engine currently is more focused on natural links rather than purchased or unrelated links.
Create a successful directory strategy to be successful, and that includes submitting to different directories.
Submission to popular directories with various niches is possible by focusing on numerous keywords in your content.
Utilize both long- and short-tail keywords. Make use of the keywords you choose to use in titles and your content. Make sure to include attractive tags in your blog posts to boost click-through rates.
If you submit various popular directories in an area of interest, you're aiming for diversification within your links profile. That is an excellent method to increase rankings and gain more traffic.
Increased exposure on the internet: Some directories may request a fee included in their directory, and others will offer it free. If you are a providential company, we suggest you submit your website to local directories of websites first and then target all customers in your vicinity.
You can accomplish it on your own or by hiring an agency specializing in SEO practices like optimizing and writing content and link building and social media marketing, and much more.
Increased link popularity: The significant advantage of directory submission for SEO is that your site can get quality backlinks as visitors come across your site via an authoritative source.
More Traffic Generation: If the correct keywords are included in your directory submissions, then be confident that your listings will appear in the search results. In turn, Internet users can look up your website using Google and also gain more traffic.
Indexing of Web Pages and Blog Posts: As stated, directories submission guarantees indexing by search engines for every page on your website and blog entries in a categorical manner.
Other Benefits: Other significant advantages you'll enjoy when your site is submitted to directories on the internet are keywords, getting relevant and practical links, more popular links, and a higher page rank. Increase the number of customers who visit your site, boost brand recognition, and result in more sales.
The majority of directories online permit webmasters to post their websites with a brief description, along with relevant keywords. Therefore, it is logical to use this option since you'll have the opportunity to advertise your company online and get high-quality links that will add value to your website.
Depending on the objectives you wish to accomplish depending on the goals you want to achieve, you can list your website with regional directories or general directories and niche directories.
Do directory submissions still be effective for SEO?
The answer is a bit debatable, but submitting your site to directories isn't an option that is dead. As per Google professionals, it shouldn't negatively impact your site in any way. However, it can boost your rankings if you're not competing with your competitors in any way.
Today, there are many kinds of backlinks available that violate Google guidelines. In the opinion of Google experts, poor directory submissions can affect a site very badly.
There is no need to be concerned about quality links since when you get high-quality links from authority websites, then the chance of increasing authority and expanding the rankings will be greater.
Be sure you're creating backlinks from trusted websites; otherwise, Google will view it as spam, and you will not be able to keep your rankings for an extended time. When SEO for your site, "don't make the bad instead of doing the right."
Particularly about bad backlinks. Poor quality backlinks can mess up your efforts. If your site does not provide value and information to the visitor, it will not rank for long.
The old-fashioned SEO method was black-hat to be ranked on Google's first page. However, it is only effective for a brief period. Following the 2019 Google update, only informative content and the index of the content are getting good rankings, regardless of PageRank and domain authority.
Here are some awesome 100+ Free Directory Submission Sites List 2022 to submit to your website. If backlinks building is done correctly, it will increase your site's visibility and traffic: Google and the other search engines.
In the end, directories are still effective. However, many websites rank very well without building backlinks or not submitting to any directories. It depends on the quality of content and "on-page SEO," which can help you be awed by search engines and the users.