Web directory
Definition
A web directory is a type of online directory that is organized by category and contains links to websites that have been reviewed and recommended by the directory's editors[1]. The links in a web directory are typically organized into categories and subcategories based on the content of the websites they point to.
Brief history
Web directories have been around since the early days of the web, and they were once a popular way to navigate the web and find new websites. However, with the rise of search engines, the popularity of web directories has decreased, as they have been largely replaced by search engines as the primary way to find information on the web.
Directories vs. search engines
Web directories are different from search engines in that they are typically curated by humans and the links are organized into categories, rather than ranked by a search algorithm. Some of them can also offer extra information about the website, like a brief description of what the website is about, contact information, etc.
Usage
There are still a few web directories in use, but their main usage is for SEO and link building. Some of the links on a web directory may be nofollow which means that it does not transfer any link value to the website it is linking to, but it still could help a site to be found and indexed by Google, and also it can be a way to find potential partners and collaborators.
While it's not as widely used as it used to be, submitting a website to a web directory can still be a useful way to get exposure for a new website and improve its visibility on the web, in case the directory is well-established and has a good reputation.
Web directories are used for a variety of purposes, including:
- Navigation: In the early days of the web, web directories were a popular way to navigate the web and find new websites.
- Search: Some web directories still provide a way to search for websites by keyword or category, similar to a search engine.
- Curation: Web directories are typically curated by humans, who review and recommend websites for inclusion in the directory.
- SEO: Submitting a website to a web directory can be a useful way to improve the visibility of a website on the web, and can help a website get indexed by search engines.
- Link Building: Submitting a website to a web directory can also be a way to build backlinks to a website, which can improve its search engine rankings.
- Business promotion: For some business owners web directories are a way to make their company or service more visible to potential customers.
- Niche specific: Some web directories are niche specific, only including websites of a certain type. It can be a way to find valuable resources in a specific field.
- Showcase: Some web directories are curated to show the best of a certain category, for instance the best web designers, best online stores, best restaurants, etc.
Web directories and SEO
Web directories can play a role in SEO, as submitting a website to a reputable and well-established directory can help to improve the visibility of a website on the web, and can also help to build backlinks to a website. Backlinks are links from other websites to a website, and they can play a significant role in determining a website's search engine rankings.
However, it's important to keep in mind that not all web directories are created equal and can have varying levels of credibility and authority, it's important to research the directory before submitting a website to it. Submitting a website to a low-quality directory can do more harm than good, as it can associate a website with spammy sites, and could lead to penalties from search engines.
Overall, while web directories can play a role in SEO, it's important to approach them with a strategic mindset and not to solely rely on them. It's essential to have a holistic view of your SEO strategy that includes a variety of tactics and methods, such as producing high-quality content, technical optimization and link building.