Blogs and Internet Directories: The Same and Different - Submitting to the Blog Directories
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There are three important requirements for most blog directories.
One is having a good short description of your blog content. It shouldn't exceed 150 characters. Any longer and it may get cut -- or even ignored. Description input boxes for most blog directory submissions are small. Some are capped at 150 characters. In any case, a short concise description is better than a long one.
Blog directories rarely change your choice of description. That lets you utilize a few more keywords than the mainstream directories would allow. Don't go overboard with the keywords or your blog might be rejected as spam.
A second requirement is a good list of keywords that you expect people to enter into the search box. A list of about ten to twelve search terms is ideal. Any more and you are either redundant, or keyword spamming.
Blog directories are usually hand edited. Most blog directory editors take great pride in the quality of the blogs included in their various categories. Spamming the directories will only get your blog excluded, as with any other reputable directory. Most do not accept automated submissions either. Hand submission is required.
A third, and often surprising requirement of a few blog directories, is meta tags. Most search engines and directories now ignore meta tags to some degree, or even entirely. Some blog directories, however, still place importance on them. Be sure to have some keywords included in your blog meta tags, as they will be needed for your blog submissions.
All directories require your blog title, URL, and an active email address.
Some directories will request additional indexing information, including your name and geographical location. Often the added information will place your blog in additional sub-categories, providing an extra listing for your blog.
They may also require a link back to the directory itself. Give them the link. It often results in some preferential category listing, promotion, or placement. That superior placement means more traffic for your blog. Note that not all blog directories require a reciprocal link.
Make certain that you apply to be included in the proper blog category. Most directories will move your blog, to their choice of category, if they don't believe your selection is appropriate. The last thing you want, for your business blog, is to be grouped in a category with some teenagers' personal diaries. Be sure to check over the categories very carefully, and you will have no problems.
You can find many other blogs to share reciprocal links right there in your blog category. They share your interest, and are not likely competitors either. Remember that bloggers are very generous linkers compared to many traditional webmasters.
Inclusion in a blog directory is surprisingly fast as well. It is not uncommon to be listed in your category within a few days to a week. Virtually every blog directory that considers your blog worthy of inclusion in its pages will have your blog indexed in less than a month. That is much quicker than some of the mainstream directories, most notably DMOZ.
Next: Blogs and the Mainstream Internet Directories >>
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