Member Avatar for tadisaus2

Hello,

Thanks for reading this message.

I am wondering if Are Free Web Directories Still Good for SEO. I still submit my websites to new directories but I don't know for sure if they do any good.

I keep submitting to these directories as a routine.

any advice is appreciated.

Thanks very much.

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by stokes1900

Dani AI

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Short answer: not as an easy "SEO hack" anymore. Directories helped a lot in the 2000s (as remembers), but modern engines treat mass, low‑quality directory links as link‑manipulation signals rather than editorial endorsements. Don’t assume a submission will move rankings — Google explicitly flags low‑value directory/bookmark networks as link‑scheme type signals. (developers.google.com)

There are still useful cases, though — primarily local citations and tightly curated, niche directories. Mentions on authoritative, well‑moderated directories (and consistent NAP entries for local businesses) can improve discovery and map‑pack performance; broad, throw‑it‑everywhere submissions do not. Also note older “prestige” directories mentioned in this thread (for example, DMOZ) are gone or no longer work the way they used to. (searchengineland.com)

Practical checklist to stop wasting time: pick 5–10 high‑quality targets (real editorial review, real traffic, relevant category), write unique descriptions, keep NAP identical where applicable, stagger submissions, record every listing in a spreadsheet, and watch referral traffic and backlinks in Google Search Console/analytics. Treat paid listings with caution — if a directory is selling links, expect the links to be nofollow/sponsored or to carry minimal ranking value. Prefer editorial placements, digital PR and genuinely useful content over bulk directory submissions; Google has warned against large‑scale article/guest‑post campaigns executed solely for links. (developers.google.com)

Bottom line for the thread: echoing parts of and but updating them — directories aren’t categorically useless, but they’re a low‑return, manual task unless they’re local, niche, or editorial. Stop chasing visible PageRank as a metric; focus on referral traffic, citation consistency, and earning real editorial links instead. (searchenginejournal.com)

Recommended Answers

All 13 Replies

Member Avatar for anjstudio

Sure they were! until a few years ago, this was an effective way to promote a site's SEO, even to increase Google rankings.

Member Avatar for freddavis

no matter if it is free directory or paid directory. only page rank matters. directories must be of highly page rank.

Member Avatar for thedigger1

Yes free directories are still helpful, no very helpful method but still useful. Better if you submit your websites in some good directories like dmoz, joeant, skaffe, illumirate, etc.

Member Avatar for jacktb

There are those that dismiss free directories but I still submit to them from time to time as long it has a higher PR than our website. I believe that a link from a higher PR website/directory can contribute to SEO espcially if it categorize per niche.

My only problem with free directories is that it takes too long to get approved or listed.

Member Avatar for Nile Hadwards

Page rank does matter, it is not important there are paid or free. As we all know DMOZ is good pr directory and it is free too.

Member Avatar for rahulbatra

Yes it is still in SEO trend. But it gives you results in long term.

Member Avatar for novoyson

Some of them are helpful, others are oversaturated of spam and are not important for the search engines.

Member Avatar for amrish2338

free or paid does not matter for seo .every one is usefull for seo

Member Avatar for twpablate

These directories can give you advantage if they are related directories means in your website niche.

Member Avatar for AirForceOne

Hi,

Generally speaking, all backlinks from decent sources would be helpful for SERP purpose no matter they are new or old or their own values. But, I would like to mention that SEO values from directory submission might have been replaced by article submission, press releasing and blogging. :)

all the best,

Member Avatar for paulyoung

It takes much time to be listed.That is a disappointing thing.Otherwise for good PR,directories submission really works.

Member Avatar for shaniadavid

Yes i think they are... Although they take a lot of time to get approved but they are far better than reciprocal directory submission as Google does not give much importance to link exchanging now!

Member Avatar for stokes1900

no matter whether it is paid or free. page rank only matters

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