Does web directory submissions are dead for SEO

[Webynizer]

Somebody told me that web directory submissions are dead for SEO. Is that true?

[chris_108]

Hey,

You’re not alone in wondering about this! Web directory submissions used to be a big deal for SEO, but things have definitely changed over time. These days, they’re not as effective because Google’s algorithms have gotten much better at filtering out low-quality backlinks, and many directories are full of spammy links that don’t do much for your rankings.

That said, there are still a few quality directories, especially niche ones related to your industry, that can help with visibility and drive some traffic. But it’s really more about being selective and using them as just one part of your overall SEO strategy, rather than relying on them as the main tactic.

Hope this clears it up a bit!

[MasoodDidThat]

No backlinking method in SEO is dead, they just got advanced through time. If a backlink on our website is from a spammy or irrelevant website and the domain authority from where you are getting a backlink is not good, it will hardly create any impact on your rankings because google has now changed the backlinking game. It is quality over quantity now. It is better to have 1 quality backlink instead of having 100 spammy backlinks.

Web directory submission is not dead you just have to find high quality niche related backlink for your website and you will see the impact on your traffic and rankings over time.

[Apnaghar Interi]

Directory submissions aren't completely dead for SEO, but their impact is minimal. Choose niche directories with strong authority and high quality. The modern SEO strategy focuses more on content, backlinks and the user experience.

[theKollab]

Web directory submissions are less effective for SEO today but can still provide value when used strategically and cautiously.

[kearawill]

Not completely dead, but definitely not what they used to be.

Web directory submissions used to be a solid way to build backlinks, but Google’s algorithm has gotten a lot smarter. Submitting to low-quality or spammy directories can actually hurt your SEO now. That said, reputable, niche-specific directories or local business directories (like Yelp, Yell, or industry-specific ones) can still be useful—especially for local SEO and brand visibility.

So in short: directory submissions aren’t totally dead, but they should be used carefully and sparingly as part of a broader SEO strategy. Focus more on quality content, good technical SEO, and getting backlinks from trusted sources.

[laserworkhub]

Not totally dead — but pretty close. Web directory submissions used to be a big deal for SEO, but now, most don’t really move the needle. That said, if it’s a trusted, niche, or local directory (like Yelp or a local chamber of commerce), it can still help a little. Just skip the spammy ones. Quality matters way more than quantity now.

[laserworkhub]

They’re not completely useless, but they’re definitely not what they used to be. Submitting to a few high-quality or local directories can still help a bit, especially for local SEO. But dumping your site into tons of random directories? That’s old-school — and not in a good way. Focus on content, backlinks, and building trust instead.

[Dani]

I think I'm in the camp that local directories can be great for local SEO, but I can't see any directories being a good fit for sites like DaniWeb anymore. RIP DMOZ.