Is SEO directories still works these days?

1. 66

   dannycarreyposted 12 years ago

   After constant change of the algo - is there a point to search and add url to the SEO directories?

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2. 57

   Dame Scribeposted 12 years ago

   There is definitely mixed feelings across the netscape some view directories as nothing more than spam farms for link juice whereas others say, it depends on exactly 'where' you leave a link but they don't specify what that means or provide samples I can only suggest, approach with caution?

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3. 76

   Greekgeekposted 12 years ago

   If it's a directory that accepts any links at all, probably not.
   
   If it's a directory with an editorial board, some way of sifting out good from bad, and  -- most importantly -- if it's a directory that real web users use to find good content, then yes, it may still have some value.
   
   Google and other search engines are trying to weed out "links posted for the sake of ranking better" and only count "links that someone recommended because they honestly think the destination is not only good, but relevant."
   
   Short version: directories which are "post your backlinks here!" are a waste of time. If you're posting a link only for search engines to see and not for real readers to follow, don't bother.

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4. 57

   Robin Thomas Eposted 12 years ago

   SEO Directories does work well and good as long as you follow some guidelines.
   
   1) Its better for the directory to be in your niche, ie its a directory pertaining to just your topic, and not everything. That way the links already in the directory shall be relevant links, and you shall gain the advantage of that, once you get in to the directory.
   
   2) They should not be some auto-approve directory, but rather take maybe even a month to approve a link. That way not everyone shall be able to get in, but rather the ones that already got in shall be having some quality and authority.
   
   3) It shall be even better if they are a paid directory, since that's one type of directories that are excluded by the spammers, and no links in the directory shall be spam links.

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   1. 66

      dannycarreyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Wow thank you guys for those tips! I would like also to know what's your best and favorite way to get backlinks? I'm trying to find an easy way as I hate to get backlinks , but i know that the best backlinks don't come easy

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      1. 57

         Robin Thomas Eposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Quite true. The best links are probably the hardest to get, and sometimes you shall indeed have to spend a bit to acquire such links.
         
         Google loves contextual links as the best, and if you can get enough quality in them, you shall indeed get the best.

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5. 58

   easyarticlesposted 12 years ago

   I think yes if you submit in quality directories.

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6. 76

   psycheskinnerposted 12 years ago

   The short answer in my opinion is: no.  The great majority of directories can actually be damaging.  So you need a high level of expertise to pick one that will help. And that could change with the next Google tweak.

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7. 84

   Rachel Roodhardtposted 12 years ago

   Hello - There's some mixed opinions here and most of it is true.
   
   It's still ok to use directories, but relevant directories are better than irrelevant ones, and human reviewed ones are the only ones you should ever consider.
   
   Having said that 1,000 directory submissions are worth the same as a good quality backlink from an authority site with actual page rank.  So if you're going to invest time in getting links, I'd recommend the guest blogging route at the moment  8-)
   
   Check out my hubs for other SEO tips. 
   
   Rach

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8. 75

   Daniel Rooposted 12 years ago

   You need to find niche directories, like the ones that are bolted onto genuine websites. Large general standalone directories all have the same structure, characteristics and user engagement so are easily detected by search engine filters.
   
   Google nuked the general directories several years ago, best not to focus too much attention on getting links from these.
   
   As for other options, the best approach is to try and build relationships with other site owners in your niche and maybe do some guest blogging, do infographics with built in backlinks, give stuff away for free for a link, do competitions that attract links, create viral content.
   
   If your content is compelling then this shouldn't be difficult, if your content is crap then scraping the bottom of the seo barrel by going to cheesy link directories is probably your only option.

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9. 94

   melbelposted 12 years ago

   In all honesty, I think directories are probably one of the worst ways to get backlinks.
   
   On a side note, I checked out your hubs, you have some pretty good ones. If I may offer a piece of advice, don't bold your keywords. If anything, it'll hurt your SEO more than help and it's really the oldest trick in the book. Really awesome hubs, though. Keep up the good work.

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   1. 66

      dannycarreyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Melbel, few hours back I was reading your hub about getting backlinks )) and even I post a comment with the question if the article sites in the post panda era still works:))

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10. 94

    melbelposted 12 years ago

    Th best thing to do is to let the links come in naturally. Just work on creating the best content you can.

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    1. 66

       dannycarreyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Yes I agree but you don't search for any keywords before writing an article? It's really hard these days to find a profitable keyword without any competition, so to be visible in any way you should get at the beginning some backlinks and after that if the content is great you should receive natural links.

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11. 55

    mcxniftycallsposted 12 years ago

    Now days google is changing its algorithm frequently and back link strategy is loosing popularity, google needs only quality back links  which is hard to gain.
    The key to traffic is quality and unique content, which can only stand against any algo and On Page SEO. for that you need keyword research.
    Though many of profitable niche have tremendous competition but you can still find many LOW COMPETE ION long tail keywords in any niche.
    I am writing hubs on most competitive niche, that is FOREX.. but out of 07 articles, 03 are already on search and I received 16 visits from Google, Bing and Yahoo search in just a week.
    So, if you do keyword research and can generate quality and unique content then you can easily appear on Search engines. Submitting in Online Directories can help in gaining referral traffic but for SEO it is loosing popularity.

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    1. 66

       dannycarreyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       So basiclly what you saying that SEO is dead now? Even writing good articles on squidoo for example with a backlink to your hub will not affect your SERP?

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       1. 84

          Rachel Roodhardtposted 12 years agoin reply to this

          Hmm.. SEO will never really be dead, but it would be a mistake to hold on to old SEO tactics expecting them to work forever.
          
          Keeping up with Google's algorithmic changes is the only real way to stay on top of google, and even then you get google-thwacked from time to time.
          
          I wrote an article on this recently...http://rachelroodhardt.hubpages.com/hub/Panda-20-and-EMD-Google-Algorithm-Recovery-Plan

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