Jun
21
I had a chance to pick the brains of the great Greg Boser on the issue of directories and decided to write an article on directories based around the discussion. The quotation marked words used are mainly Greg’s definitions to best define the topics and directories. Of course I expanded on the subject a little bit more. This should make a great reading for any beginner SEO student.
In the eyes of Google there are mainly two types of directories:
“Real” directories vs “Seo” spam directories.
So how does a search engine define as criterias to seperate the good apples from the bad apples and devalue the links coming from these “SEO” directories.? Based on past actions and experiences, we can identify some (not all) of the criterias.
Reciprocal links: A “real” directory would never ask for a reciprocal link back to be published in the directory. That clearly is a flag to google that says, the directory owner is only doing this directory to increase the website PR. By also giving link to this kind of a directory, the published website also decreases its trust rank in the eyes of Google.
Also if you are looking at it only from a PR point like most other beginner SEOs, most directories demand a home page link from their directory in return for a link back from a page two or three clicks away from their website which is mingled in with probably 50 other links. Do you really think it is a fair trade? It is simply a math calculation of losing PR rather than gaining it. Your internal webpages will thank you for avoiding the action.
Anchor text titles: “Real” Directories do not have tables that allow you to submit “generic search phrases” as the anchor text or within the description. The description in a real directory should be accurate and defining (not an optimized meaningless sentence) and the link to your side will have an anchor text that includes either your name and/or your company’s name.
“Common Footprints”:
a) website designed by “insert-company-name-here” seems to be shared by many sites in a directory
b) Same C-block IP adresses: Do many of the listed sites share the same C-Block IP numbers
c) Do you recognize the names listed in your geographical area or industry?
The existence of authority sites as a part of the directory seems to be a good indication of the legitimacy of the directory.
d) Does the directory have structural similarities and the same websites listed as many other directory sites on the web?
Google looks upon structural and content similarities in recognizing an seo directory. Open Directory Project clone sites or off the shelf directory scripts that look like many other directories seem to hit a trigger with google.
e) Does the site have many empty category pages standing??
A directory should not simply create 100s of categories with an empty page or with duplicate content. That is a clear flag for Google.
The above criterias should give a good insight to any webmaster who wants to invest time and money on directories.
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8 Responses to ““Real” directories vs “Seo” directories.”
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[...] One of the more advanced SEO issues that most real estate webmasters ignore is the issue of outbound links in terms of their real estate website’s trust and relevancy factors and the Google webmaster guidelines. I am going to write a series of short articles on outbound link strategies that hurts your trust and relevancy rank. These will include topics on real estate state referral directories, network sites, contextual link exchange practices and directory link exchanges. [...]
Can you give some examples of “real” directories that are real estate related?
Hi.. I am too looking for good quality directories. To be honest I get fed up with all the underhand tactics being used now. What ever happened to Good Ol fashioned business?
[...] Real Estate SEO Blog White SEO topics and strategies for real estate « “Real” directories vs “Seo” directories. [...]
[...] are over 100 real estate directories But only a few niche real estate directories fit the definition of “real” directories and they might not be what you expected as most of the bigger sites did not make the [...]
Hi Gundy Group and Mike,
http://www.metroseo.com/2007/07/24/best-real-directories/ is what you are looking for in terms of a general directory and a real estate niche directories that fit the definition. I can see some of you asking where are some of the top sites out there. They either ask for a reciprocal link to be placed at some level or have a lot of duplicate content advertisement that is probably in 100 other sites as a part of a link exchange program.
[...] a great SEO. I have no doubt of it. One of my first posts in this blog was about him talking about not leaving footsteps for Google. Greg just pulled off a great marketing stunt for his Property town site through a [...]
Thanks for the great website, really good stuff!
How I found you:
-#15 for “Chicago SEO” out of 360k on my index. -Google:10:40am 04-16-08
Bookmarked and I’ll be back often. Thank You Mert!