Directory Industry Still Growing

[dvduval]

Thanks to a new report from Web-directories.ws, it is possible to see that the directory industry is still going strong. Sometimes as we see certain directories get penalized or lose pagerank, there can be a perception that the directory industry is losing ground. Fortunately, the numbers tell a much different story:

Link to full article - My Response

[falsealarm]

I think Google still applies basic math/comparison of incoming links vs outgoing links when evaluating a directory even when it is a good one (though directories should be held to a different standard then blogs, etc.) So older "links-only directories" may have probably been punished in this PR update. But ones with good articles and site reviews should fair better even going further. Niche directories are more advantageous.

[mmastation]

Originally Posted by falsealarm

Niche directories are more advantageous.

I think this is definately the way to go.

I read someone on DP actually mention that you should treat each main category like its own niche directory and build links to your categories to help it grow. Sounds like a good plan.

[dvduval]

One unfortunate occurence that happened in the directory industry is some people bought their way to the top. They bought high pagerank links to boost the pagerank of their directory, and then they made a lot of money in the short term selling links, only to see their site penalized by google a few months later. But before that happened, many others tried to follow this same path, and some failed. As a result, there are a good number of "general"-type directories that are not very well maintained. Fortunately, we are not seeing this type of activity so much these days.

Now, you are seeing more niche and regional directories, and the general directories that are thriving are well maintained and have done something to set themselves apart from the others. So fortunately, the growth we are seeing in the directory industry is healthier. People are producting higher quality sites in their niche. The industry is starting to mature, and I'm really glad to see this.

[jesterfx]

Dumb question...Since google penalizes for paid links, do they penalize paid inclusion directories?

another almost as dumb question lol...what is the best free (or cheap) directory script right now? I have a great domain for a directory but know nothing about the "niche".

[domainregistrar]

phpld version 2.x remains the best in this domain, about Niche -- you have to simply choose one category and build up on that instead of 100 + categories catering from food to music to all ages ... so start with one Niche segment say pets and have all categories ONLY for PETs ...

HTH
VB

[jesterfx]

Originally Posted by domainregistrar

phpld version 2.x remains the best in this domain, about Niche -- you have to simply choose one category and build up on that instead of 100 + categories catering from food to music to all ages ... so start with one Niche segment say pets and have all categories ONLY for PETs ...

HTH
VB

Thanks for the feedback!

So as for phpld, would you say it's worth the price to upgrade to v3? Or is 2.x much better?

As for niche, I'd like to go with a tight niche but the one domain I have for a directory is pretty general lol. It's not the best domain but fits ok I guess:

AwesomeWebDirectory.com

But not really ideal for a niche...at least that I can think of.

[borsa_mat]

You should visit sites in signs.

[freepaidbidlinks]

phpld version 3.x remains the best in this domain, about Niche -- you have to simply choose one category and build up on that instead of 100 + categories catering from food to music to all ages.

Regards.

[tavex]

I read someone on DP actually mention that you should treat each main category like its own niche directory and build links to your categories to help it grow. Sounds like a good plan.