For a guide to be comprehensive, it cannot but be lengthy. For the hardened veterans of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) struggles, there may be only a few surprises here, but as it is my intention to make this guide accessible to relative newcomers to this complex and rapidly evolving subject, I hope that the thoroughness of the exposition will be appreciated.
Directories: Then and Now
It now seems to be lost in the mist of time, but way back in 1995 (and for several good years since) the first site most users turned to when trying to find anything on the net was a directory -- Yahoo! Supported by such popularity, Yahoo grew from strength to strength and became the 'definitive' guide to the web. A site that wasn't listed there was as good as non-existent. The phenomenal success of Yahoo provided a blue print for many sites. Hundreds, if not thousands, of directory sites were created, copying the basic formula: Human editors that scout the Internet, find sites and categorize them.
The situation now cannot be more different. Search Engines, and not Directories, rule the web. Although some of the better known are still thriving (like dmoz.org), many have closed (like goto.com). The rest are valiantly trying to find their place in the virtual world and fight for visitors and recognition. The decline of Directories led some commentators to maintain that they are, at best, complimentary to Search Engines. Other would go as far as claiming that they are just relics of the past, better left alone and ignored.
On that background, it is with some amazement that one hears every so often of yet another directory being launched. It seems that the enormity of the challenge to categorize millions upon millions of sites has an irresistible attraction for some people... From the site owner and webmaster perspective, we need to be absolutely clear about the benefits we can derive from being listed in a Directory.
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