Today Conesus appear to be that directories are yesterdays tool. However there are those who still hold very strongly that directory submissions can be an excellent tool.
There are some causes to make directory submissions suspect in terms of gaining traffic for SEO. Top most is that Google is able to detect duplicate content much more effectively than before. If there is any suspicion by Google that repetitive submissions are paid linkages they will automatically be downgraded by Google, reducing the links ability to decent PR and gain traffic. Interactive media such as video’s, placing of comments and linking with blogs are certainly a further reason for the diminishing popularity of directories.
If people using directories have an understanding of what they should look for directories can still play a pivotal role. The way directories work and helps should be absolutely clear. Firstly they definitely can assist with the ranking of pages and referrals. The more exposure a link receives, the chances of attracting traffic increases. When directories send traffic Google or any other search engine will never devalue these links. Directories can only help you. The only way any hurt could arise is if it submitted to a lousy directory. Therefore stay away from bad directories, which have many categories but limited listings under each of them. They lack substance and will be found out. Should a demand be made for a reciprocal link stay away from it too. There is huge difference between a request and a demand. Focus on the sidebars of directories to avoid content, which is spammy, like the ever-pervading casino and pharmacy. No directory worth its salt will ask for an email address without first stating it privacy policy. Stay away from it. Investigate if links within the directory are indexed by digging out to any unrelated content appearing under the stated themes. Such lack of quality indicates a link, which is not indexed and should be avoided.
Good directories take great care on the content they would allow; such directories will even reject content, which is paid for if the quality is insufficient. The best of directories will be selective and therefore it is vital to adhere to submission instructions before you add links. There are directories, which can be classified as, General, Regional, Niche, Article, Blog or podcast. Familiarizing them and choosing the category which suites you best would be prudent for directory submissions to work positively.
Dmoz, Yahoo, Dir journal, Best of web, wow directory, Joeant, and Gimpsy are some recommended directories for submissions. When directories are willing to accommodate your site they could account for increased acceptance and a bigger traffic load. When the suitable directory has been identified, the next step is to determine the text, which will anchor it and the description. To do this process with multiple directories has to be noted. The goal has to be to do this while making it look organic, or repeat content will be treated as spam. The anchor text should give your link a brand and the description should be short for it to work as intended.
If these concerns are taken into account directory submission is still a cool tool for SEO.
Although, I think that directories are good to have your links submitted to, they don’t hold so much power like back in the days.
Also, dmoz has fallen a lot and the corruption of their editors have made google to lessen it’s trust on their listings.