Directories are important for many reasons. They’re a way to categorize the web into a hierarchical structure and the largest of search engines have their own. Most are modeled after Dmoz.org. Large directories like Google’s, Yahoo’s or even BTOW’s have literally thousands of categories that go deep into subcategories with millions of links
Even with millions of links they are not definitive… meaning they don’t contain every website that belongs in them. It takes webmasters submitting their website to be included. And inclusion is not always guaranteed. Have you ever tried getting listed on Dmoz? It can be quite a waiting process and you never know if you’ll ever hear back from them.
Web directories run by individuals like you or I are important because we categorize the web on a macro level. Most small niche directories are run by passionate webmasters who help categorize the web, just like the giants do. We help other webmasters by creating new hubs for them to receive traffic from and also by giving them that all important backlink.
Links are the basis for the internet. They are fundamental. Google bases its Pagerank system on links. It’s no wonder webmasters have caught on and have started creating their own portals, directories, lists for the sole purpose of connecting websites together and gathering a bit of power for themselves. A democratic web is a beautiful thing.
Can’t get into Dmoz? Create your own directory and profit from it in the process.
Have you noticed the explosion of directory submission services that have popped up in the last year or so online? The reason this has happened is because more and more webmasters are realizing that backlinks are crucial to their websites ranking in search engines. Webmasters are starving for backlinks and directory owners provide a way to get a link easily.
So you can see, directories are important to the web. Not only are they hubs for site owners to get traffic and links, they are also business models you can profit from.
