Several Free Directories Switch to Pay Only

One of the largest providers of Free Directory Listings, overthemark.com has dropped their free submission option, in favor of an all paid business model. The 35 directories affected stopped accepting free listings last month "to clear their backlog of submissions". They implemented a express review submission option - "$5 reviewed in 24-72 hours", at that time. They were to resume free submission on June 15, 2005.

When queried about the status of resuming free submissions, owner Tanya Martin said, "Yes they are staying paid. I haven't finished updating all of our submission pages yet. But they all are staying paid".

I have only reviewed one of their directories, Easy Eraser Pro Directory. I was holding off on their others until they started accepting free submissions again. I will update my review to reflect this change and ultimately move that directory to a new paid directory listings review section. Although I am always sorry to see free directories switch to pay only, I wish Tanya well with her new endeavors.

While chatting recently with Dan, creator of the great SEO Friendly List, he mentioned that Anews4U Business Directory switched to pay for inclusion, a few weeks ago. I will update that review also. He will updating his great downloadable list next week, so make sure you get the latest revision.

I suppose it's inevitable for quality free directories, once they reach a certain mass, to discontinue their free submission options. If this trend continues, it will make it more expensive for the small site to gain some inbound links.

That's it for now. As always I want to hear from you via the comments below or by emailing me by clicking on my name.

martin