If google ignores links from "spammy" link directories ...

[adriandg]

Then why does SEO moz have this list:

http://www.seomoz.org/dp/seo-directory ??

Included in that list are some pretty spammy looking sites such as:

<colgroup><col width="345"></colgroup>
| http://www.site-sift.com/ |
| http://www.2yi.net/ |
| http://www.sevenseek.com/ |
| http://greenstalk.com/ |
| http://anthonyparsons.com/ |
| http://www.rakcha.com/ |
| http://www.goguides.org/ |
| http://gosearchbusiness.com/ |
| http://funender.com/free_link_directory/ |
| http://www.joeant.com/ |
| http://www.browse8.com/ |
| http://linkopedia.com/ |
| http://kwika.org/ |
| http://tygo.com/ |
| http://netzoning.com/ |
| http://goongee.com/ |
| http://bigall.com/ |
| http://www.incrawler.com/ |
| http://rubberstamped.org/ |
| http://lookforth.com/ |
| http://worldsiteindex.com/ |
| http://linksgiving.com/ |
| http://azoos.com/ |
| http://www.uncoverthenet.com/ |
| http://ewilla.com/ |

[onlinemediadirect]

I think the answer has to be - How do you judge what is and what isn't a crummy directory.

1. If the directory gives a full check of all inclusions.

2. The site doesnt contain out going links to - Viagra, Cialis etc (you get the picture)

3. Joe Ant - Good right ?

4. How relevant is that directory to your industry so lets say I sell Football kits. Look for sports and football related directories. Listing your webpage on a directory that is related to pharmaceuticals when you sell football kits is bad right ?

USE Common sense and logic when you land on the directory look for the warning signs..

Don't use directories as your main source of links but a few good ones on a link profile in my opinion can be good. It adds to the diversity of your link profile.

[RyanKent]

I agree with Gary.

What method did you use to classify these sites as "spammy". JoeAnt is not spammy at all to my knowledge. I grabbed another directory from your list, anthonyparsons.com, and it does not seem even the slightest bit spammy.

[onlinemediadirect]

I suppose Ryan the problem is how does one classify something "spammy" as with all these things it can be sometimes quite obtuse and a few directories will fall in a potential grey area.

But by and large dodgy directories are easy to spot.

Common sense rules...

[adriandg]

Wow! i should have asked this question months ago!

As for "Define spammy" how about this:

A site that provides no actual service to the public, and purely exists to make money from manipulating search results.

Most of the sites in that list, including Joe Ant look pretty useless to me.  If someone sent me a link to one of those sites i would assume they had a virus in their computer or something of the likes.  What actual purpose do these sites serve?

Do you honestly imagine a non-seo'r ever to visit one of these sites and say to themselves "Wow, i've found an excellent resource, i'm going to bookmark this page to help me find things in the future" ??

[onlinemediadirect]

The problem is no directory is ever going to contain reams of pages full of excellent content.

Definition - A book listing individuals or organizations alphabetically or thematically with details such as names, addresses, and telephone numbers.

So from another point of view - Google's How can Google rank a directory....

Out going links has to be massive - If the directory does what it says on the tin and contains site links in the correct category I don't see the problem.

[adriandg]

But surely google frowns on paid links no?

100% of the directories listed above are paid.

[onlinemediadirect]

I know what you mean and I agree but the distinction lies when the directory charges for there time to review your listing and site.

so it isn't technically a paid link

Just like how could Google penalize you if you sponsored your local football team and they gave you a banner on there site as part of the deal.

[adriandg]

Sounds like a loophole to me.  But i'll take it!

Thanks for the advice!

-Storwell