35. Link Directories

Obtaining links from directories used to be far more efficient a few years ago. Nowdays, search engines like Google and Bing don’t count directory links as much as they used to. There is still a few decent link directories to care about and obtaining new directory links can often increase your search engine rankings.

Above: Screenshot of DMOZ, one of the most popular directories.

Even if we believe the value of link directories will continue to diminish, there is still SEO benefits from link directories.

What is a link directory?

A link or web directory is basically a collection of links in a catalogue format, organised by category. The only purpose of link directories is to refer to other websites. The directory submission guidelines vary between different web directories.

Why do search engines think of link directories?

20 years ago, link directories or web rings was a useful method to find new websites. Today, with the growth of search engines like Google and Bing, web directories are seldom very useful. People use search engine to find useful websites instead of link directories.

It’s no secret that many recent link directories is of rather low quality. They’ve been built with the pure intention to promote sites the webmaster or SEO company has personal interest in. This is obviously something search engines try to fight. However, there is still a few link directories worth submitting to as found below.

5 most trusted link directories

If you just want to submit your website to a few more trusted web directories, you should probably go for:

• Dmoz UK: Still considered the most trustable link directory, period.
• Yahoo Directory: The UK version is now closed down. Still worth to submit to the US version of this directory.
• Joe Ant: Human edited link directory intended to provide quality sites.
• Best of the Web: Claims to be the oldest Internet directory. Hand-picking websites.
• Internet Public Library: IPL is one of few rather trustful link directories