Keyword use in online directories
-
I have been adding our website to online directories which quite often allow me to add a brief description of the organization and add a list of Key words. With regards to the keywords should I list keywords from the organisiantion description that I have entered on the site or should I use the key words that we are trying to rank for, that don’t necessarily feature in the description on the site
-
Hi Hardley,
Dana has listed some great factors to consider when choosing directories. However just consider the relevance of that directory rather than just the raw authority of the site.
Example (I've just been to Australia Zoo, hence this example) You're doing SEO for a company that transports Kaulas. The best link you could get isn't from a high authority site, with a PR of 8, & 1,000,000 links. It's from the most relevant sites. Out there somewhere will be a website on the perils of transporting Kaulas, written by the foremost expert in the world. Target that site.
In the case of directories, you target animal related ones. Because Google will know what the site is about, you won't need to worry about adding a list of keywords.
Hope that help
Iain - Reload Media
-
Dana points out excellent ways to evaluate if a Directory is worth the effort. Considering low quality links can actually hurt the site, I would make directory links a minuscule part of your overall strategy.
-
Personally I would select the 4-5 keywords that best describe the website, products or business and just stick with those. I don't think inserting a whole bunch of keywords is going to be beneficial, and honestly, the keywords probably don't matter at all. However, I understand that some directories will make keywords a required field so you may have to put something there. I would proceed with caution and just approach it with a "less is more" attitude.
Also, another word about directories, make sure you research them very carefully before you decide to submit. Answer these questions:
How long has the directory existed?
What is the directory's Alexa ranking?
What is its PageRank?
How many inbound links does the directory have?
How many of those inbound links are .edu and .gov links?
Is the directory even in Google's index any more?
Does the directory have real human editors? [try emailing them to see if you get a human answer0
Does the directory just include every site that pays them? If so, reconsider your submission.
Does the directory properly categorize the sites it lists?
If you answer those questions about each one, you'll get a better idea if a particular directory is worth pursuing or not. Also, make sure that this is part of a much larger, broader link-earning strategy.
Dana
Got a burning SEO question?
Subscribe to Moz Pro to gain full access to Q&A, answer questions, and ask your own.
Browse Questions
Explore more categories
-
Moz Tools
Chat with the community about the Moz tools.
-
SEO Tactics
Discuss the SEO process with fellow marketers
-
Community
Discuss industry events, jobs, and news!
-
Digital Marketing
Chat about tactics outside of SEO
-
Research & Trends
Dive into research and trends in the search industry.
-
Support
Connect on product support and feature requests.
Related Questions
-
SEOMoz directory list - some clarity needed FROM SEOMOZ STAFF
There are 455 directories (212 web, 188 social & 55 local) on the SEOMoz list.
Link Building | | Jeepster
Presumably they are there because SEOMoz recommends them. Yet common wisdom seems to be that web directories have negligible SEO benefit - see this recent SEOMoz Q&A discussion.
Matt Cutts advises against paid directories in this video (which >99% of them are)
In a private Q&A last month a member of the SEOMoz staff told me a link to my site from this directory, which appears on the list, was a "poor link". I think some better clarity in SEOMoz's guidelines on directories would be appreciated -- and I'd appreciate SEOMoz staff weighing in as promised when Private Q&As were ended -- especially as many SEOMozzers take most of what we learn here as near-gospel.1 -
Title Tag Keyword Help
Hi I had a general question? How many Keywords should I be targeting per Title Tag? I usually use 1-2, and maybe a brand name. I just want to make sure i'm doing it right thanks. Peter
Link Building | | PeterRota0 -
Paying for directory inclusion
I just wanted to see what the general opinion was on paying for directory entries. How high should the PR be to justify paying for it? Or how much is justifiable for entry into a directory with a lower PR? I have recently submitted my site to Yahoo Directory but I have only seen my rankings increase in the Yahoo search engine. Are there any directories that Google like?
Link Building | | AAttias0 -
How do you use anchor text post Penguin?
I have a client with several businesses within the same industry - Each of these businesses have their own websites. So, I have a few questions with this in mnd: **When using anchor text (exact keyword phrases) on his website pages, how many links are safe to use per page? And if I want to interlink between his businesses, is it better to use exact keyword phrases to link or just a straight URL link for those other businesses? **When guest blogging or using an external blog of our creation, is it best to use exact keyword phrases (and how many) or URL links? I want to make sure I am not over linking - help? thanks a lot
Link Building | | BenjaminDonley0 -
What is the best company to use when building links to feature on multiple directories online?
I am looking to build links for my clients who are in a very competitive industry 'airport parking', can you advise where I can submit their URL to generate good quality links without being penalised?
Link Building | | shami0 -
Retain keywords with redirect
I manage a site the sells product A and product B (both major keywords for us). If I buy the url www.productB.com and redirect it to the original website, would the original website gain any benefits in search engines? Would the benefits of having a url with the keyword be lessened because there isn't content hosted there, only a redirect to the original site?
Link Building | | livethesource0 -
Anyone use and like Brute force Evo 2
What exactly does it do and does anyone know someone who got in trouble using it? With linkvana and bookmarking demon and manually posting to blogs would anyone need this/
Link Building | | joemas990 -
Is it really worth it to submit to Yahoo Directory for $300 per year?
The fee does not even guarantee inclusion - and if you are accepted, does that link really add enough value to justify paying an annual $300 fee?
Link Building | | mjmorse0