Google and Directories

[IsItUPYet]

How highly does Google rank links from directories? My site listed in plenty of directories and some are listed when I check my links back in Google but most don't.

[tedster]

The Google link: operator has never given a full report, and that's intentional.All you will ever see is a sample of the links they know about.

The limitation has nothing to do with the quality of the link, either. I think the answer to your question is this: as with any site, some directories are highly valued, some not so much, and some are ignored.

[willybfriendly]

How highly does Google rank links from directories?

A year or two ago I would have said quite highly.

It seems these days that everyone and their uncle is doing the directory thing. Shucks, I just saw a list of 350 "SEO Friendly" directories - complete with Page Rank (most were PR 3 or less).

I am no longer convinced that directory listings have much value. They have become, in many (most?) cases just another link scheme, much like blog comments, forum sigs, guestbooks, etc.

Anymore I only list in a directory if I see evidence that it could provide some direct traffic.

<Off Topic Rant> It is a real drag how link based SE rankings have corrupted so much of the web</end rant>

WBF