How Google differentiates web sites like directories?

[vladokan]

Hi,

I want to ask how google differentiates web sites like directories or company listing websites? How it understands that is a normal thing to have many links in a directory site? Are there some guides links about what to do and avoid and how to make SEO optimization for a directory web site.

[MarketingOfAmerica]

Right now, I can tell you that I have a message proving that directories will indeed get you penalized.  I had a pr4 51 authority link on a directory site that was very popular.  Google doesn't generally give you an hints on links, but they did and I have proof.  They told me to take specific directory links down that we built to very relevant sections.  Not only that, but even told me that my main url of my site I used as the keywords was still spam.

So, Google I feel is hand picking the directory sites like DMOZ, etc, etc.  I also don't feel directory sites are that high of a quality in a link anyways.  What can you really say in 30 or so words about your site.

I am not saying to stay away from them all, I am just saying be very careful, because I thought they were ok to use if you picked good ones too, but it's not.

Have a great night.

MB

[Dr-Pete]

I'm afraid I've seen issues with even decent quality directories. I have a client who originally published a print directory and then moved it to the web - they have relationships with all of the companies whose "products" they list (it's not a product directory, but that doesn't matter much for this discussion), they use unique descriptions, and they really focus on quality. Still, they've seen gradual declines, as the OEMs (essentially) rank higher and higher.

I think Google is just starting to view the directory model in general with more and more suspicion. They'd rather land someone directly on a result or answer then go through what's essentially another search engine. That's not to say you're automatically penalized, but it's a tougher model to succeed at than it was even 5 years ago.

I think, ultimately, you've really got to show some kind of unique value. If you're basically just listing other people's information, your chances of making much of a splash in the rankings aren't great these days.