How to Get SEO Links

 

Anyone who was researching SEO links in the early 2000s was sure to have looked into web directories, which were very popular at the time. Directories used to be the best source of good inbound links prior to the development of blogs, syndication, and paid links.  There is still one Toronto SEO Company that say directory submissions are still worthy SEO tactics.

What Happened to Web Directories and SEO Links?

If you are looking at web directories and SEO links today, you will have a different view. Today, web directories are a lot less important than they used to be. Everything is always changing with SEO services, which means things like web directories have fallen out of favor.

* Web directories no longer are required to increase your website traffic now that Google accurately directs traffic through their searches. A web directory will not give you a lot of extra traffic.

* The redirects you get from a web directory are not going to show up on search engines. Directories changed this when they realized the value of their link popularity and wanted to stay in control of their links.

* The cost of web directory inclusion began to rise as they became more popular especially if website owners wanted an actual link. If it didn’t cost a lot, it may be worth the money but when you have to pay more than $30 for a link on a website with a low PageRank, little content, and a lot of other links, then it is not worth it.

* There is a lot of corruption in the web directory world. Directories that were ran honestly and operated by volunteers are often consumed by corrupt SEO groups that you don’t want to be involved with.

* The link popularity of many web directories is often over-estimated because of the fact that these directories engage in unethical practices like selling links. This changes how search engines rate the link popularity of these web directories.

* The so-called free web directory you are considering using may require you to give them an e-mail address that they can in turn sell so if you do use these, set up a different e-mail for this purpose.

* Some web directories prohibit you from using anchor text. This won't give you the kind of SEO results you want from these submissions.

* The amount of time it takes for web directories to go through their submissions and get the links online means that it is not an efficient SEO method. The changes in the way the average web directory operates means they are not nearly as responsive as they used to be. They know they are in control of the link popularity game and don’t want to give that up.

* The web directories have long applications and they don’t follow through with the process as promised. Often applications just disappear after being submitted and you cannot check on your status. If you resubmit your application, it can hurt your changes of getting listed.

New Options - What Has Replaced the Web Directory?

* There are now new methods of reciprocal linking that involve networking with people operating similar websites. You can either exchange links with another website or you can set up a triangulated link trade where you have no direct links between each other. This is a good way to get links with a high PR.

* Consider starting a blog and updating it frequently if you want to attract inbound links. Blogging is a great way bring in links from a variety of sources. You should publish interesting and controversial content and perhaps discuss other blogs. If you can get people talking about your blog and the content, then you can bring in a lot of links.

* The new version of the web link directory is the article directory. Article directories are a relatively new idea. You can write articles and submit them to one of the more than 200 article directories. Make sure your article has a link back to your website. Article directories encompass all that was good about link directories. They are fair, have a good response time, are free, and offer good quality links, as well as information. They generally have a PageRank below 2 but article directories do let you select whatever you want for the anchor text and insert a link which offers a lot of value for your website. It is good to have links that are lower PageRanks, as well as higher ones.

In summary, web directories can still be helpful for your SEO plan but they are not the best source of one way inbound links anymore. You have other better options that you can consider.