Problem Using mod_rewrite Rules With HTTPS

Just a quick note to let you know of a problem I just encountered using my mod_rewrite examples with https pages/scripts.

When you use my .htaccess mod_rewrite examples, these rewrite rules will redirect the https address to http and will probably prevent your secure functions from executing properly.

I am researching how to change the RewriteCond to exclude https from this rewrite. I will add this information as soon as I find it and test it.

martin

Update 03/05/06: I have found a solution to this problem. See "Using mod_rewrite to Exclude https When Redirecting" and "mod_rewrite excluding https".

Free Directories With Interior PageRank?

I keep getting asked about the value of submitting to free directories. As I have said before it all depends on which ones you submit to. There are good ones and bad ones and some in between. What I strive to provide here is information to help you make an informed decision to maximize your SEO time.

To further assist you with this task, I am adding an indication of whether a directory shows PageRank on their interior pages. If you remember, I culled some free directory listings and moved them to Duds, for directories that used redirects to link to interior pages. Now I am highlighting the ones that show PageRank 1 or greater on their interior pages, at least two levels deep. Some directories still don't show PR on deep category pages (where your listing will probably appear), but if they at least have some interior PR they should gain it deeper in time.

I have indicated directories that meet my test with a green background in the home page PageRank box. Now you can tell, at a glance, which ones to target first.

Dan, the creator of the great SEO Friendly List, which I use as my primary resource, issued another update on 01/11/06. He also gave me a nice write up at info.vilesilencer.com (fifth paragraph). Thanks Dan!! ;-)

Well, I better get back to updating the free directory submission reviews.

Please let me know if you have any suggestions and/or feedback, by commenting below or emailing me by clicking on my name or via the contact us form on the site.

martin

Getting Back to Free Submissions

After a break for the holidays and then playing catch up, I am now back to reviewing free directory submissions. I have reviewed one new free directory for now and I will try to make up for lost time shortly.

I am finally launching my Mum's Red Hat Hotties website. This is the site I mentioned that I am going to promote based totally on my published advise. That is the first link to it and now I am going to submit to free directories by following my Free Directory Listings Quick Start Guide. I realize the search phrases relevant to her site aren't very competitive, but it will be a good test of the basics for the typical "Mom and Pop" site. I will update my reviews accordingly and report back on my progress and any revisions to my basic plan.

I have some paid directories to review as soon as I get a chance. That's it for now.

martin

Link Harvester Updated to Version 3.0

Aaron Wall of SEObook has done it again!! He has just updated his great Link Harvester tool to version 3.0. Since he has graciously made this tool Open Source, I have mirrored it in my SEO Tool Chest collection of SEO Tools.

This new version has a feature for determining Deep Link Ratios and information. As Aaron points out:

On top of allowing you to search for links at a specific page or links to anywhere in a domain it also has a third function called deep links which allows you to get a sample of deep link data without grabbing links pointing at the home page. The theory is that many good sites get deep links. Looking through the deep links may give you a better view of how they were acquired or if they are all garbage scraper links, etc.

By looking through the deep links you can:

• check the quality of links pointing at inner pages
• know what URLs you really need to redirect if you are changing your content management system
• know what URLs are important to redirect if you buy a site and want to modify the content or gut out pieces that were causing duplicate content or other problems

Read his full review. I haven't had much time with the new version, but it looks really useful!

I haven't found any good new free directories this week, so I have only made a few updates.

Remember if you know of any good free directories, please let me know and I'll give you a plug if I use it in my reviews.

martin

More Free SEO Tools

As you may remember, I mirror a couple of Aaron Wall's great free, open source SEO tools in my SEO Tool Chest, the Link Harvester, and the Hub finder. Now Aaron has just released a bunch of new Free SEO Tools. I have not had a chance to try them yet, but on first look, they look promising (especially for the beginning SEO).

I will look at them in-depth when I get a chance and post my findings.

martin

How to get the most of Free Directory Listings

Happy New Year everyone! I hope you all had a great holiday and are ready to get back to work how. I know I am!! ;-)

With all the holiday distractions I haven't been able to find much time to update my Free Directory reviews. I'll get back to them this weekend.

I get some pretty decent traffic from people looking for information on free directories. One thing I have noticed though, is that a lot of people only look at the first few pages of reviews. Since I currently post the reviews in chronological order based on my submitting to the directories, the latest additions are on the later free directory pages. I do go back and update the earlier pages, but if you are a repeat visitor, be sure to check the later pages.

I am working on a new presentation format which will have a "newly added" list, but since it's my own site, I get lower priority than my clients.

Don't forget to check out my Free Directory Listings Quick Start Guide and Free Directory Listings 101 to get the most out of your submission efforts.

Have a great week!

martin