In this post a couple of years back, we wrote how Yahoo! was phasing out support for its major directory. Truth be told, there was once a time in search engine marketing where you could submit to 1000's of directories and reap some marginal benefit. You could also pay a couple of thousand to a handful of major web directories to get some quality one way links.

The way of the web directory is quickly eroding with the advent of real time search functions in Twitter and other social media web sites. No point for a static collection of web sites that do not necessary reflect any type of qualitative score.

So are there any directories worthwhile to submit and pay?

The short answer is no. The long answer is no. MAYBE there is 1-4 paid directories worthwhile, BOTW and Business.com being half of them. I see the benefit less and less as time goes on though so the 299, or however much it is with a coupon to submit, may be better of spent on one great piece of content for your web site.

The 1000 directories that your Indian SEO submits to is a waste of 20 bucks (that's how much the going rate is now, if you're paying more you got hosed).

HOWEVER, I would like to point out there is still a valuable contribution to search and rankings for local and niche directories.

That is, if you are in a small niche, or targeted niche, and there is a nice powerful directory in your field, it may be worth submitting and getting a link. I would make the decision based on cost, appeal (visual), and perceived traffic. Brand new directories should be free, ones you have a suspicion they'll generate traffic, try it out.

Apart from local directories (maybe city or county specific) and targeted niche (fishing may be one, but fly fishing directories is better,) you will be better off spending your energy elsewhere.

[tags]web directories, directory, seo directory[/tags]