The Directories on the Web (like Yahoo! DIRECTORY) provide the same basic service as the search engines: i.e. They supply information about websites. However, there is one major difference:

Most directories use real people (rather than robots) to actually review and index the information they gather about websites!

To get listed with a directory, (typically) you submit your details and a short description of your website and the directory's editors (real live people) will review the site and classify it. They will also decide what category to put it under and where to rank it in the results.

Why the directories are so important
Directories do not employ robots and spiders to visit your site. In fact, if you never tell the directories about your site, most of them will probably never discover it - much less care!

To get listed with a directory, you need to make the effort to actually visit their website and provide them with information about your site and ask them to list you. Unlike the search engines, listing with a directory is basically a manual process and therefore, time consuming and tedious.

Consequently, there is a big temptation to say:

"Well, who needs the directories anyway? With all those search engines out there, they are probably a waste of time. I'll just concentrate on getting listed with the search engines and not worry about the directories."

BIG MISTAKE!
DO NOT MAKE THIS MISTAKE!!

Getting listed with the major directories is one of the most important things you can do and it is well worth the trouble. The main reason is this:

Firstly, directory listing will get your website out there on the Web. Search engine spiders crawl the Web looking for new sites so, the more you are out there, the more chance they have of finding you.

Plus, it is widely believed many of the major search engines like Google, actually draw many of their listings directly from some of the directories! To find out which directories you should list with, order your copy of Search Engine Secrets today!