IMAG Studios Search Engine Optimization > Paid Link Directories

Paid Internet Directories

Internet Directories come in many flavors, genres and sizes. While most internet directories allow you to submit your website for free this is not always the case.

Some directories will ask you for a recipricol link back to their directory, that is in order for them to link to you, you must link to them. We advise against this method whenever possible. You are better off only linking to relevant websites similar to your own, instead of a low authority web directory.

Most directories receive many link submissions a day, depending upon popularity the average time to be reviewed and added to the directory could be several months. In order to fast track this, some directories allow you to pay a fee and get an "Express Listing" in their directory.

Still other directories will list your business information but will scrub your website link unless you pay. Directories that scrub your link through javascript or no rel links are not worth your time.

When should you pay for a Directory Listing?

Generally speaking - Never.

The reason is that there are simply far too many Free Internet Directories online for you to be wasting money using paid directories. I know what your thinking, "But such and such directory is a PR6 and the paid link from this site will be really great!"

True it's great to have high authority websites linking to you, but consider whether or not your link will actually appear on a PR6 page. Does that link juice really flow to the directory listing pages? Also, consider this - many of the websites on that Paid Internet Directory were probably submitted when the directory was actually free.

By focusing on free directories today, even those with little authority, you will reap rewards tommorow as the directory begins to mature.

There are a precious few exceptions to this rule. If you are promoting a niche website where it is difficult to get links from other websites in the same genre, you should consider paying for directory links if a directory exists about the subject. If no directory exists, perhaps you should be the one to start one? Then as it grows you'll always have premium placement!

Another possible exception is to buy links that will actually deliver traffic to your website. Directories themselves will typically not do this. However there are some exceptions. If you feel a website is going to deliver relevant traffic then by all means go ahead and pay.

Otherwise, save your money and invest in free directories. You'll be glad you did in the long run.

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