MHes - 3:18 pm on Aug 29, 2012 (gmt 0)

Google knows about, and can easily ignore, links from DMOZ clones.

Back in 2002 we generated many directory sites using dmoz data..... Happy days..... we put ads at the top of each page and they ran for a few years generating clicks. Then in 2006 we noticed that if we linked from these directories to a new site we were launching, the boost was diminishing, despite the site showing pr3 or 4. At the same time, the sites were dropping in traffic, from an average of 2000 uniques to zero overnight.

In short, our dmoz scraper sites were being spotted and the links ignored. Other sites we had with no dmoz and decent content, which were heavily linked to from these sites, did not suffer. Many of these old dmoz scraper directories are still live and they still link to all of our more important sites. However, there has been no bad effects over the years, because I believe the links are just ignored.

The problem with most directory sites or the types that use dmoz data is that they usually have little original content, too many outbound links, few inbound links, too many sponsored ads and cover too many sectors without any degree of focus. They therefore fall foul of many potential algorithms before the links out are even considered. Those that have some value, in the form of original content etc may offer some pr benefit..... but I suspect the links from nearly all directory style sites are ignored.