How do directories help search engines?

how do directories help search engines

Search engines, such as Yahoo and Google, rely on directories for relative reference.  It is a good idea to get listed in DMOZ (The Open Directory Project), and any industry specific, REPUTABLE directories.  Search engines perceive this is a vote of confidence that a site is what it claims to be.  This gives search engines an easy reference point on both a site’s content, and it’s possible relevance.  A few quality directory listings is more favorable to a web site than to be listed in hundreds of directories which contain questionable links or practices.

Directories indiscriminately broadcast your url in exchange for your participation in creating further link exchanges should be avoided in most circumstances.  Spamming directoies and link farms are indications that the site is connected to undesirable elements for search engine placement, and could reduce your ranking, or even get you completely barred.  From this, you can see that search engines use directories as a sort of “background check” on a site, giving a rough grading to the site by taking into consideration the types of sites it keeps in contact with.

Google specifically says “Don’t participate in link schemes designed to increase your site’s ranking or PageRank. In particular, avoid links to web spammers or “bad neighborhoods” on the web, as your own ranking may be affected adversely by those links.”

Search engines such as Google and yahoo want to provide the best results possible in a person’s search.  In order to help them do this more efficiently, they “listen to the internet grapevine” regarding how a site is perceived.  Always strive to keep a favorable review with the top search engines and directories especially ones that are industry specific, as these are in turn queried by the other top engines.

Article written by SEOnotepad.com