Directories And Search Engine Ranking

by Christine Harrell

When most people think of optimization, their minds immediately jump to changes that are made on the actual webpage in question. Some might consider offsite components such as articles or press releases. But it is rare for anyone outside of SEO experts to recognize the power of the directory for improving search engine ranking. This tool is effective and efficient when used properly, but can be detrimental if used improperly. Learn about what they are, what they do, and how they might be used.

What Is A Directory?

Directories first came to exist back before the search engines themselves. The idea was that websites of similar interests would be indexed in one spot, allowing individuals who wanted to explore a particular subject area to have a good starting point. Before you could search for kitchen remodeling, you could visit a directory on kitchen remodeling and get links to other sites from there.

When Google, Yahoo!, Bing and the rest of the big engines came to exist, the need for directories for that purpose faded. They have since become essentially an editorialized listing of websites. Whereas search engine ranking is (usually) determined via an automated algorithm, these are actually edited by humans, and the sites admitted are screened for quality. A website must be submitted, and is only listed after it has been determined relevant, useful, and high enough quality.

Not All Directories Are Equal

Because the pages a directory accepts are inherently subjective, not all of them will be equal. Some are more selective, some are less. The more selective they are, the more prestigious, and the harder for you to get your site listed. The real issue isn't getting your name in highly selective listings; rather, you need to be careful that you are avoiding the lower quality listings which can actually harm your search engine ranking.

This is one of the best reasons to work with SEO experts. They have a lot of experience in the field, which means that they've done their research into different directories. They likely already have a list of ideas for places your website might be able to get listed. If not, they've got the ability to spend time doing their research. Few business owners have this same ability to dedicate time to it.

SEO Advantages Of A Directory And The Risks Of Bad Listings

When your website is found in one of these listings, it counts as a link. Inbound links are one of the tools that SEO experts rely on to boost search engine ranking, and directories are a strong way to obtain them. However, there is a fine line between beneficial directories and less than helpful entries. There are some which Google may flag as spam simply because they are not sufficiently edited. If you are listed in one of these when it is flagged as spam, you risk having your site tainted by association. It is generally best to go with sites that have been vetted, are trusted, and have proven successful in the past.

Using this tool properly can be a big bonus to your SEO program. However, because of the pitfalls involved, a lot of companies choose to let SEO experts implement these strategies rather than trying to do it on their own. Whatever you decide to do, being aware of the power of these websites will help you make an informed choice.

Author is a freelance copywriter. For more information about Search engine ranking, please visit http://www.customermagnetism.com/.

Article submitted Monday, January 16, 2012 & read 1 times.

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