Rand Fishkin against Directory Owners, or is it the other way around?
So I’ve been reading all about SEOMoz’s Rand Fishkin’s supposed vendetta against Web directories. In all fairness I hardly believe he has anything against Directory owners at all. He is merely expressing a point of view that is valid in many ways.
To kick this off, let me just briefly state where I stand on this. I believe that whilst the sale of links through a Web Directory platform is not a very good business model, it is undeniable that they bring value to their clients, even if Rand states otherwise.
Every SEO in the process of Link building submits his client’s websites to directories. Anyone who tells you otherwise is either lying or in denial. There could be cases where this step simply isn’t needed because the SEO holds control over a Network of websites that provide him enough “link power” to discard the directory submissions process; this might be the case for Randy.
A Web Directory, as product to the end user is simply worthless. Keep in mind that the owners of the websites that are listed in the directories are not the end user, or better yet, they shouldn’t be.
Why is it not valuable? To be put it very blatantly, because no one will use it to search for content.
Also, in a Webmaster perspective, I serious doubt that directories generate enough traffic in quantity and quality in the regular category listings to represent a good ROI .
Web Directories have one single purpose, to pass link weight to the websites listed in the various categories.
I have seen some very surprising reactions by directory owners who seem to be taking this rather personally. I’m guessing that the most extreme reactions are coming from owners of small directories, because the ones who have been around long enough know that they have nothing to worry about.
My final take on this, is that of course that certain directories will have a good impact on your SERPS, just select the most contextual directories for your business, and the ones that are authoritative, even if they are generic.
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Good read and you are right the strong reactions are coming mostly from small directory owners like myself.
I wonder if you read my full article and followed the sources I cited.
It was nothing of personal with Rand or SEOMOZ. If you hit some-one – be ready to get it back too.
My latest blogpost is all about why quality web directories are still indispensable.
Hello John,
I did read your post along with the citations, and you raise very valid points. In all fairness you didn’t cross the “personal line” that I mentioned, but I still think that you are taking Rand’s opinion too literally.
The fact that he doesn’t think that links form directories are valuable doesn’t mean he is against them.