Is Yahoo directory still worth the money?

[thindenim]

Hi all,

I'm just considering whether to pay the £200 for inclusion in the yahoo directory. It may be small beer in the grander scheme of things, but at the end of the day I can get a lot of targetted traffic elsewhere for that money (adwords etc).

A few years back you simply had to be in there, but I'm not so sure it's worth it now. What's everyone's thoughts, is the traffic/link popularity boost worth the money?

If I do go ahead I'm unsure which area to submit our girls night site to as it's partly a shop, but also a lot of content, advice etc. I'm assuming they would probably view it as a shop though? Any advice appreciated.

Many thanks,
David

[incrediblehelp]

I would not do it.

[debram]

I would not do it.

Why not?

[nashville]

I did it and it was the best money I ever spent. I would do it again.

The answer to your question is really complicated because it depends on way to many factors to summarize in a reply like this.

The day after I was listed...I was #2 in Yahoo for my primary keyword...and went up on Google over the next several weeks.

I have a feeling that all things being equal that Google will rank you better just because someone looked at your site. But who knows.

I know for sure I will pay again.

[cinebiz]

I think that the Yahoo directory is still worth it. My sites that are listed get much better rankings than other sites not listed there. It's like getting 1 year of exposure for the price of one month of really lightly sprinkled Google ads.

[dharrison]

Hi thindenim

If you aren't sure whether or not to spend the money, I would say try the freebie directories first (DMOZ, etc) and monitor its progress.

Then if after a period of time you feel there could be room for improvement, pay to be included in Yahoo! directory for a year and see if it makes any difference.

Luckily Yahoo UK & Ireland no longer charges for Directory inclusion anymore. I was hoping they'd do the same over the pond.

HTH

[bjbtexas]

I've seen it help and I seen it add up to nothing special.

I look at it as a nice way to put yourself on the map if you have the money to spend.

Otherwise, to me there are more beneficial ways to spend SEO budget.

[craigmn3]

I've been submitting sites to Yahoo Directory until they made it a yearly fee and I stopped.

Funny thing is I have sites listed on the yahoo directory that I didn't pay for......I wonder why?

Oh yeah I know....because they let you submit to the directory for free.

If you have a few months lead time and a good website, you don't really need to pay for it.

Being in the directory is a plus. Definatly don't pass it up, (even if you don't pay for it)

Now did someone say submit to DMOZ......I hate when I laugh so hard that milk comes out of my nose.

[kneelsit]

I was interested to read the comment that 1 year price of registration on Yahoo was equivalent roughly to paying for Google Adwords. I know which I would rather have. To me Google's expensive PPC set-up is only really useful for new sites trying to break into the market.

In conversations I have had with backpackers from around the world when I ask them what are the main search engines they use in their country they always say Google and Yahoo.

Consider it as paying for one very important link.
To the best of my knowledge DMOZ and Yahoo are 2 of the most important directories to be in as far as having an influence on your Google listing.

[muskie]

I just renewed my Yahoo directory listing $299.00 about two months ago. My site has been in Yahoo's directory going on two years. The site is #1 on MSN & #4 on Google for the primary keyword phrase and has been on page one on both for many months. My site is nowhere to be found on Yahoo for that keyword phrase or any other. I think this is my last year for the Yahoo Directory.

[thindenim]

Looks like opinion is a bit divided on this one. I might have a good look through the categories which our site could potentially fit into.

If I can find one which is not over saturated (could be tricky!), that might tip the balance in favour. Does anyone know if they don't agree with your suggested category if they will offer you an alternative?

One thing I certainly don't want is to pay £200 and for the site not to be included.

[SemAdvance]

It's really an easy answer

From Google

Submit your site to relevant directories such as the Open Directory Project and Yahoo!, as well as to other industry-specific expert sites.

This is a new version of the old URL

http://www.google.com/support/webmas...y?answer=35769

So if Google thinks highly enough of Yahoo Directory to include it in their guidelines of where to be listed....

Where do YOU THINK you should be listed?

And I know many will say it also says DMOZ, and that DMOZ is useless but nobody knows for sure, however having included them both in the new version of the page seems to indicate Google holds both of value.

[SemAdvance]

Originally Posted by muskie

I just renewed my Yahoo directory listing $299.00 about two months ago. My site has been in Yahoo's directory going on two years. The site is #1 on MSN & #4 on Google for the primary keyword phrase and has been on page one on both for many months. My site is nowhere to be found on Yahoo for that keyword phrase or any other. I think this is my last year for the Yahoo Directory.

Forgive the double post.

This proves only that Yahoo is fair. If you paid and were included in the SERPs then the results would be tainted.

Given that you are not in the SERPs then this leads one to believe the fault is yours and not the search engines. I typically rank terms on the front pages of all three engines, since you are able to grab two somethings wrong for the third.

Try this

1. Add robots.txt

2. Check for spammed keyword tags, make sure keywords in tag match page content (do this for each page of your site)

3. Check for any other coding compliance using W3C.org

Good luck!

[deepsand]

Originally Posted by craigmn3

<snip>

Funny thing is I have sites listed on the yahoo directory that I didn't pay for......I wonder why?

<snip>

Because, whether or not you submit, your site will still eventually get crawled; and, if deemed worthy, listed in their directory.

The difference is that if you're listed as a result of such, you've no control over where in their directory you're listed.

[Bookmauritius]

I would say that Yahoo directory is definitely worth it. Although it generates very few direct visits, I am certain it helps a better ranking on Yahoo and Google.

Paying for it is another question. Since DMOZ is almost dead or at least very slow, if you want a kick start it's worht paying.

[chadhaajay]

Hello,

I totally agree with the fellow frieds who have suggested that it depends on your requirements. I personally do not have any of my websites in the Yahoo Directory and not even in the DMOZ direcotry but still we enjoy the top listing on all the major search engines for our choice of keywords.

So, the major thing I'll suggest to you is to make your site so attractive and addictive by adding articles, useful content so that others automatically start linking you.

Sincerely,

Ajay Chadha (Director)
Chadha Software Technologies

Search Scripts - Scripts Resource Directory

[Manpasand]

IMO Yahoo! Directory listing definitely help in ranking. Even though Google also recommends in its Webmaster Guidelines.

Originally Posted by chadhaajay

I personally do not have any of my websites in the Yahoo Directory and not even in the DMOZ direcotry...

May be you are not aware but your chadhaajay.net is enjoying two listings in the DMOZ.

[Chris]

the question is, is one quality link worth paying a recurring fee for?

[Manpasand]

Originally Posted by Chris

the question is, is one quality link worth paying a recurring fee for?

Yes, if one quality link helps your ranking and getting you more business.

[deepsand]

Originally Posted by Manpasand

Yes, if one quality link helps your ranking and getting you more business.

But only if your site doesn't and can't earn a free lisitng or you need or desire a listing or listings located in a category or categories other than that determined by Yahoo's spider.

And, bear in mind that the fee is solely for having your submission reviewed; there is no guarantee of being listing.

[incrediblehelp]

Originally Posted by Bookmauritius

Although it generates very few direct visits...

This is exactly why it is not worth it.

[cz]

craigmn3 wrote:

Oh yeah I know....because they let you submit to the directory for free.

If you have a few months lead time and a good website, you don't really need to pay for it.

Being in the directory is a plus. Definatly don't pass it up, (even if you don't pay for it)

Would you mind providing a link where you can get an e-commerce site reviewed "at all" and complete the submission process w/o ponying up the $299? I don't think it's possible unless you have an NPO???

Thanks,
cz

[mantawebsolutions]

to me a few direct links from Y! Directory is not worth $299

I'd rather pay to be in "local" search directories or niche related directories for targeted traffic.