Forum Moderators: Robert Charlton & goodroi
Google values directories that are edited by humans because they can be sure of the relevance of the websites that appear in those directories.
It stands to reason that placements in directories such as DMOZ and Yahoo Directory would be looked upon favorably by Google.
If you take part in pay per click, and your average cost per click is, let’s say, 20 cents... You can look at it this way: If Yahoo Directory can directly or indirectly boost traffic by 125 clicks per month, you break even over the course of a year ($299 / 12 months / .20 cents per click).
Don't forget that Yahoo Search also has a big market share, and it is likely that a directory placement in Yahoo will help your SERP results there too. Between Yahoo and Google SERPS, and the Yahoo Directory itself, I think an increase of 125 clicks per month is definitely possible, again depending on your market. If you have the budget it is worth the risk.
On the other hand, I've found some nice listing possibilities that are neither overcrowded nor buried - this is mostly dependent on the site's niche, though some creativity can sometimes help when searching for categories.
It stands to reason that placements in directories such as DMOZ and Yahoo Directory would be looked upon favorably by Google.
I think you're right that it stands to reason as such, but I've seen more things I could call counter-examples instead of examples. This relates to DMOZ. (Yahoo, once I think.)
I've had several sites that were DMOZ listed, then were eventually scraped too death and no longer rank for anything in google. The scraper sites assumed the position of owning the content, instead of the older, DMOZ listed sites. As far as I can tell, it's just a link.
With Yahoo, I expect the same. You never know when they might start incorporating their directory listings into their algo. (ya know... to get more $299s) Their directory is so full of crap... I'm sure the search team would be fighting such a decision.
wouldn't this happen only if you were 302'd, or if the scraper took a substantial amount of content and had higher pagerank?
it is likely that a directory placement in Yahoo will help your SERP results there too
You never know when they might start incorporating their directory listings into their algo
If I correctly remember (and this fuzzy head sometimes doesn't), when the SE launched, the folks at Y! stated that they of course spidered the sites in the directory, but inclusion in the directory in no way guaranteed inclusion in the Y SE index. Sites had to make it into the index on their own merits, and no boost in ranking came from a directory listing.
Of course, they never precluded changing that in the future.
The only benifit I can see is for the Yahoo search results.. I am seeing more and more of directory listings making top 5. That is just in my keywords I monitor.
Is it worth paying the $299 for a Yahoo biz listing if for nothing else than the google page rank you might get?
its clear that the direct benefits from yahoo are a crapshoot, but if PR does transfer then it makes the decision to pay the $299 much easier.
However, remember that the title and description you'll get for your directory listing can/is the one that's used in the serp. Personally I like to control the text in the results to a certain extend, and I wouldn't risk it with an editor ;)
or if there are a bazillion links on the page
Well, while none of the pages are overcrowded now, its more clicks before reaching a given site.
Actual directory traffic is very thin for my sites, but the sites listed in Yahoo directory also rank highly for their target keywords in Yahoo.
I don't think the directory provides any specific benefit for Google or MSN other than whatever probably small share of a PageRank it may pass to your site.
Note that the redirect URL contains the complete URL of the destination site, even including the "http://". That may be why Google is able to recognize and follow the links despite the fact that the redirect subdomain (rds.yahoo.com) is explicitly prohibited to robots.
[search.yahoo.com...]
User-agent: *
Disallow: /
Google backlinks will show links from the Y directory, and i believe it does add to a websites' backlinks. Direct traffic from the Y directory is usually < 10/mo. unless you sell big ticket items, you will loose money on the Y directory listing.
not sure if it is that way because I have a blog with RSS feeds or because I built many many links or what gives
I can only speak anectodally but it did have positve impact for us.
My site also ranks #2 in Yahoo for it's most competitive keywords and uses the site description from the directory.
In my opinion, if you can afford it, do it.
So I dunno. I can't say I'd buy it again as I've seen no return, but it definitely depends on your situation.
Consider the following -
If Google were to discount the PR from yahoo's directory, how would they justify it? It could be seen as a major attempt at protecting/enhancing their own revenue streams. It could be argued that they are skewing their search results to make sure more companies end up paying for adwords from them rather than pay for directory listings from a competitor..
Nah. Check out the non-us mirrors, they don't use redirects (at least, last time I checked). If you pay for the us version, you'll get into all the country mirrors.
I still see yahoo.com directory links listed as backlinks when using the link: command
so far, only jay has responded directly to the question posed... does anyone else have an opinion about whether the google PR transfers from the yahoo directory page?
Have a site with 2 DMOZ and 7 Yahoo directory listings. One the DMOZ listing is showing in the Google directory, but does not show up as a link with "link:widgets.com"
One of the Yahoo directory links shows with the link command. That link has been showing for a couple of years but none of the new ones are there.
Can't see any reason to buy into the Yahoo directory if you are looking for it to pass PR.
Note: None of Yahoo listings were paid and they used the same description for all 7. Could be Google is considering them as dup content.
However, remember that the title and description you'll get for your directory listing can/is the one that's used in the serp. Personally I like to control the text in the results to a certain extend, and I wouldn't risk it with an editor
I have a site I dearly wish was not in Yahoo. If I ask for a change to the title, will I get it? In the UK submission is free, and while the site is a genuine small business, what will happen if I ask for a change. Probably nothing, but then....?
Better left alone.
Good thing is, I figured out how to get listed in Yahoo without paying....and I've tested it in two sites already...got listed in their directory in less than 3 days.
This is their link syntax (modifyed to fake domain):
<li><a href=http://rds.yahoo.com/S=5156546:D1/CS=5156246/SS=37205034/SIG=10sftf6hl/*http%3A//www.yourdomain.com/>Your Domain</a>
- includes 3,000,000 MB of disk space, 300,000 email accounts, Web-based email, pre-installed blogging tools, and instant account activation.</li>
Do you think that link syntax transfers any PageRank to the actual URL in the mind of Google?
Is there any proof that PageRank or "juice" is passed to Google from Yahoo?
I'm not convinced, but do have an open mind.
