Link Acquisition Assistant

[Element-360]

I understand directories are of less value these days. However, as a portion of your link profile are you finding benefit from directories discovered through the Link Assistant? This is all under the assumption you also have great a great value prop and content etc. Thank you!

[mark_baird]

I would count any directory as little to no worth at the moment. I would link to my site from one only if it was very very high ranking (i.e. dmoz) or very relevant to you and it may generate actual traffic. Other than that i would say its a waste of time and cash if they ask for it.

[Element-360]

Thanks Mark,

What makes it tempting is that some of the niche directories do have a decent 30+ PA where the links are actually placed for the keywords I am looking at. Do you think it need to be even higher? They are straight up directory pages with company descriptions.

Appreciate your thoughts,

Chad

[mark_baird]

I would not look at PA much when thinking of directories. The fact that its a directory will make it worth much less that a regular site with the same stats.

Look at dmoz for example it has a PA of 95 and over 9 million links from 77k domains and i wouldn't even count it as a world beating link now. In my opinion a directory like that is worth getting but only if its not to much work. Anything much lower i would simply avoid.

I am however not an expert on the subject so i would be interested in seeing what others think!

[Element-360]

Good Point Mark. Thanks for sharing.

I would be interested to hear if anyone else has any additional angles or perspectives on high authority directories to enhance your backlink profile.

Happy Friday!

[Jeepster]

I was about to post the very same question.

This is surely sending out mixed signals in an era in which listing in directories is a busted flush. After all, virtually all of these directory links are paid links. And last year SeoMoz (as then was) took down its list of recommended directories. What gives?

[Cyrus-Shepard]

I am not opposed to high-quality, niche specific directories. Specifically, I would look for industry-specific directories (not broad directories with industry specific categories) that offer good, human written descriptions, editorial reviews and do not allow the submitter to dictate the anchor text.

Usually, directories run by industry organizations, non-profits, government bodies, universities, community services, etc generally make fine directories - especially if inclusion means good referral traffic as well.

Everything else, including general directories, heavily templated thin content sites with optimized anchor text I would avoid.

[Element-360]

Thank you for your thoughts Cyrus,

Because we only focus on one industry if is easier for us to develop a list of the criteria you mentioned above. I will see about performing a follow-up comment later if I can isolate any sort of influence these types of directories have on our site.

Thanks,

Chad