Some SEOs claim that directory submission ain't what it used to be. While that is true to some extent, it is still possible to rank well in Google through directory submission. However, you must submit to quality directories and this is the tricky part. Directories abound but the majority of directories out there aren't worth your time. If you manage to find quality directories to submit to, you can get your website to rank for competitive three word-long keyword phrases.

How to Tell Whether a Directory is Legit

In order to get started with directory submission, you need to search for directories in your niche on one of the major search engines. If you find relevant directories that rank highly on Google, that is a good sign. Directories that have search engine trust are usually worth buying links from. Avoid free directories if possible because they tend not to have a good reputation in search engine land. However, there are exceptions to this rule of course.

Another way you can determine the quality of a directory is by checking the submissions and seeing if there are any good sites there. If you only find links to low quality, low ranking sites, it is a sign that the directory is probably not worth your time. You should also check the crawl date of the index page and another page in the directory because if it has been over a month, chances are that search engines don't trust that particular directory. Search engines like Google make manual adjustments in order to devalue links from spammy directories.

Directory Submission Tips

If you want to stay on Google's good side, avoid submitting to several directories at once. Space out your submissions over a period of many months. Search engines are well aware of the fact that SEOs use directory submissions as a way to build links and boost page ranking so keep your tactics low-key to avoid being penalized. For example, don't use similar anchors and descriptions on every directory submission. Try varying your directory listings a bit to make your efforts seem less obvious. Make sure your anchor text includes your business name. Don't use a target keyword alone because it looks suspicious. For instance, if you own ABC SEO Company, make sure your anchor text says something like, “ABC SEO Firm,” not something as generic as, “SEO Firm.”

Directories used to be an easy way for SEOs to achieve higher Google rankings but Google stepped in to ensure that directory submission would no longer be abused. Generic directories that exist solely for selling links possess a big minus in Google's eyes because they provide little value to users. Google wants to provide users with value so it's no surprise that Google devalues links submitted to sub-par directories.

High Quality Directories

Yahoo and DMOZ are the top directories. It costs $299 to list with Yahoo as of this writing but it is well worth the investment. You don't need to submit to the Yahoo directory to rank on Yahoo but your Yahoo ranking will go up if you do. Google also trusts the Yahoo directory. Before it was harder to get accepted into the Yahoo directory but in light of the company's recent economic troubles, you are likely to be accepted as long as you pay.

DMOZ is a free directory run by volunteers. DMOZ is one of the highest quality directories out there so it is recommended to spruce up your site quite a bit prior to trying to submit it there. Many sites rank highly without DMOZ but having a link there is very valuable. All search engines value DMOZ listings. Other respected directories include Business.com, the Librarians Internet Index, and GoGuides.