Do PPC listings influence link popularity and Google PR?

Would listing a site on Looksmart influence rankings?

[Lydia]

Good morning everyone,

Excuse me if there is already a thread about this somewhere else, but I couldn't find it.

I've heard that having a listing on Looksmart is worth it because it would increase the site's link popularity, and hence, the site's overall ranking in Google. I've also heard that the same logic applies to other smaller directories (who are not PPC-based).

My client already appears on MSN due to its campaign with Overture. With all the bad feedback regarding Looksmart new policies, I'm wondering if I should bite the bullet and purchase a listing just for the sake of link popularity and hence, the site's ranking on other engines. Would this be a key thing to do for SEO purposes, or can I "pass it"?

Thanks to everyone!

[edited by: engine at 7:24 pm (utc) on Oct. 6, 2003]
[edit reason] No sigs, thanks. See TOS [webmasterworld.com] [/edit]

[Michael Anthony]

In my limited experience, the only paid listings that have made a difference on Google are Yahoo. The other thing to do of course is submit to the ODP and, as the whole of Webmaster world will tell you, build some inbound links to the site by contacting other sites that may consider linking.

There is a major difference between a PPC ad appearing and having a link to the site - generally PPC ads don't have ay relevance in the main site's directory listings and as such won't have any impact on link popularity.

One thing that is claimed to improve Pagerank quickly is to add a Google search box on the site - I've not tried this myself but know of people that have benefitted by doing so.