Free Directory Listings

Updated: March 3, 2009

The following is a list of free directories where you can list your website.  All these directories are free (some require that you link back to them or a partner site).  Some of these directories have paid submission options.

I have submitted (or attempted) to each directory and will update this page as information and experience is gathered.  Since I link back to all directories (for review purposes). I will note my experience on not linking back to "Link Required" = "Optional" directories based on client site submission results, when available.

This page is a continual work in progress, listings are entered as I review the directories and are not in any particular ranking order. Notes and credits are at the bottom of the page.

I posted a short article at my blog on Free Directory Listings 101, a "How To" guide with tips to get your free directory listing accepted on the first try. Also, check out my new "Free Directory Listings Quick Start Guide" to get up and running quickly.

Update: 04/15/06: Check out my directory interview on eMarketing Talk Show! Good stuff there.

Key to listings:

Link Required:  Is a reciprocal or partner link required?
Static Link:  Is the link static (passes PageRank™) or redirected (type of redirect)? §
PR™: What is the PageRank™ of the directory's home page? Green background denotes a PR1 or better on interior pages two levels down (note: some sites do not show interior PR on the Google Toolbar, but they do an various PR Tools).
Register:  Are you required to register or submit an email address?
Time Frame:  Actual time for a verified submission or site stated time frame, if this site is not listed yet.
DL: Does the directory allow submission of interior pages (Deep Linking)?
IBL Shown: Does search engines show back links from this directory (see notes below).

More Free Directory Listings - Page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, Duds, Duds-2

A Free Directory - is another new general directory with a rating system.  Most of their categories are fairly empty, so now is a good time to submit.  There is not any inclusion time frame stated on their site. ۩18

Update: 07/14/05: PageRank™ reduced from 4 to 3

Update 2: 10/01/05:  I submitted a client's site and it was listed in 7 days.

Update 3: 02/18/06: ( + ) PageRank was increased from 3 to 4

Update 4: 04/23/08: Submitted a site in November 2007, still not listed. Page rank ( - ) from 4 to 0.

Update 5: 09-13-08: Page rank ( + ) 0 to 3

Update 03/03/2009: page rank ( - ) 3 to 0.  The site shows: active links: 158, pending links:32,171.  That's a lot of pending.

SoMuch.com - is a targeted directory with emphasis on ASP and web development, but will accept other sites as well.  They allow you to list interior web pages which can be very useful in your link building program.  They will also give you an enhanced listing if you link back to them and notify them of your link. They will notify you via email when your site is added.  They do not list a submission time frame on their site.

Update: 10/01/05: I submitted a client's site without a link back and it was listed in 2 hours

Update 2: 10/22/05: ( + ) Home page PageRank increased from 5 to 6

Update 3: 01/22/06: This directory surprises me. It always shows up well for back links, but does not show interior PR. More investigation is needed.

Update 4: 02/14/06: Somuch's interior pages do have PR, they just don't show on my Toolbar, but they do on several PR Tools.

Update 5: 02/18/06: ( - ) PageRank was decreased from 6 to 5.

Update 6: 04/23/08: ( - ) page rank decreased from 5 to 3.

Update 7: 09-13-08: Page rank stayed at 3.

Update 03/03/2009: page rank still at 3

Open Directory Project - is the granddaddy of all the free directories and it's position here on page three has nothing to do with it's importance (or lack thereof).  As I stated in the preface to these listings, I am listing them in the order in which I submitted to them.  Read more about the ODP at my blog.  The ODP is the largest human edited directory on the internet and is mirrored by numerous sites worldwide, thus one listing can get you multiple links.

The review time frame is not stated in their guidelines, but it is usually a long wait for review, due to a huge backlog in most categories.  It is also quite difficult to be accepted as their submission guidelines are very stringent.  Read the guidelines thoroughly before submitting and comply with them completely.  All the editors are volunteers and should be treated with respect.  It is usually easier to get listed in a regional category.  I was waiting for my site to mature a bit before I submitted, but an ODP editor, I met through an online community group, visited my site and then listed it in the regional category for Mount Clemens, Michigan that she was trying to populate.  I will still submit my site to the appropriate main category at a later date. I will advise when I do so.

* I submitted a client's site last fall and it was listed in 14 days (after one previous failed attempt in different category).  I also submitted another client's site to a very competitive shopping category and it was listed in 5 months.

Update: 08/20/05: While reviewing the IBL information for my oldest client's site, I noticed that numerous ODP clone directories' back links show in Yahoo! and and few in MSN.  Some even have a bit on link value.

Update 2: 09/04/05: I submitted my site to a non-regional category and I will advise on progress (note: I am attempting to submit my resource directory to test deep linking in the ODP).

Update 3: 04/23/08: A site I listed on 11/25/07 has not yet shown up, but I am trying listing again on 4/23/08.  Originally this review stated you had to register to list a link, but I didn't see that this time around.

Update 4: 09-13-08: Page rank the same at 8

Update 03/03/2009: page rank still at 8

All Links Directory - a general directory that will enhance your listing based on the amount of traffic you send them.  Their links utilize a 302 redirect (for tracking purposes?).  A reciprocal link is required and they state that your links or resources page must be directly accessible from your home page.  Since this "Free Directory Listing Reviews" section is growing, that is not possible for me.  I wrote to them to advise them and they said I complied with their requirement  You can list interior pages or directories which is a plus for this directory.  There is not an inclusion time frame stated on their site. Note:  I have since added links from my home page to these free directory listing review pages to comply.  Has a rating system for links

Update: * PageRank™ increased from 6 to 7 on 07/14/05.

Update 2: 08/13/05: All Links Directory was moved to "Duds" due to 302 redirect usage.  It has produced minimal traffic for me.

Update 3: 09/10/05: All Links Directory has changed their links to static and therefore it is moved back to the regular free listings from "Duds".

Update 4: 10/22/05: ( - ) Home page PageRank reduced from 7 to 6

Update 5: 04/24/08: Page Rank ( - ) 6 to 3. 

Update 6: 09/13/08: Page rank steady at 3

Update 03/03/2009: page rank ( + ) from 3 to 5. 

LDMStudio.com (previously sphericom Directory) - a general directory that appears to be selective in their listings.  There is not any review time frame or submission guidelines listed on the site.  I have submitted a couple client sites to them in the past and they have never been listed (01/15/05). Since there aren't a lot of listings, I'm guessing they are selective and not just slow.  I submitted this site on 06/08/05 and will advise on progress.

Update: 04/01/06: I have submitted a few sites to this directory and none have been listed. I have heard reports from others that they have not had any sites listed either. Also, several datacenters are showing a PageRank of 3, but the majority show PR5.

Update 2: 04/04/06: ( - ) PageRank reduced from 5 to 3

Update 3: 04/24/08: Page Rank ( + ) from 3 to 5.  This site lists a page of links with a short description and a link to another page that gives more details about the site such as when it was listed and how many hits it has gotten.  The home page has page rank, but these interior pages do not.  WebSeoDesign is not listed. I have listed a site today, no reciprocal link is required.  "Our editors will validate your request.  If your site meets our submission guidelines, it will be approved and included in the directory in the next 24 hours."  5-7-08 - the site is listed.

Update 4: 09/13/08: LDMStudio shows a link to Sphericom Directory, which has page rank of 5.

Update 03/03/2009: PR 5

Joe Ant - a popular, powerful, established general directory that is very selective with submissions.  In order to submit a site for free inclusion, you have to volunteer as an editor.  A new editor can submit sites to only one general category, so choose your category to your best advantage, if you plan to submit multiple sites.  You can request a submission review for a site outside your category via their private forum.

They offer a "Guaranteed review within the next two business days" with their Speed-Pass Service for a One Time Fee - US$39.99.  This does not guarantee inclusion, just a quick review.  Your submission (free or paid) is subject to review by higher level editors.  Their site index is updated once a week on Tuesday.

* I originally submitted this site on 04/30/05.  My submission was returned for too general of categorization and non-objective description (tough audience there).  Apparently my submission got lost in cyberspace. Five weeks later I resubmitted and after 4 revisions was accepted in 1 day (will show up in the Wednesday update).  When I submitted wikidweb.com, which required one revision, it was accepted in 1 day.  I just submitted threadwatch.org (one of my favorite sites), which was accepted as submitted in 2 hours (I must be getting better as an editor).  I submitted another client site as "Out of Category" through another editor and it took 16 days to be listed.

Update: 09/10/05:  I have recently submitted 2 client sites via the Speed-Pass (paid) option and they were approved in 6 days (see their guaranteed review time above, obviously review and approval is two different times) and then they were shown in the directory the following Wednesday (regular index update day)

Update: 04/25/08: Page rank ( - ) from 6 to 5.  Still $39.95 one time fee to submit, unless you sign up to be an editor.

Update 3: 09/13/08: Page rank ( + ) from 5 to 6

Update 03/03/2009: Page Rank 6

Tsection Web DirectoryTsection Web Directory - That is one of their requested link text (for express review = link back).  A general directory that seems to have good quality guidelines.  They edited my submission, so they do have human editors.  They offer three submission options:

• Plain - ordinary (free without link back) "Approved within 1 to 2 months; Lowest ranking; Lower approval rate"
• Plain - express (with link back) "Approved within 1 week; Generally higher ranking; Must link to Tsection for 12 mths; Backlink periodically verified; Deleted if backlink removed"
• Premium listing (paid) "Approved within 48 hours; Up to 2 keywords in the title; Description also a link; Displayed before plain listings; More likely in top category; Star icon!!; Attractive Link Text; Make changes to listing text; Low fee of US $19.95/year; Secure payments by PayPal; Large approval rate; 100% refund if not approved; Cancel yearly payments any time"

* I opted for the "Plain - express" listing since I would be linking back anyway.  I will try the "Plain - ordinary" submission and see how that does with a client's site.  I submitted my resource section (they appear to accept interior directories). They notified me by email of acceptance.  I submitted another client's site with a link back and it was listed in 15 days.

Update: 08/21/05: I just went to add a client's site and did a search to make sure they weren't already listed and received this message from Google (G powers the site's search) "403 Forbidden: The website you've just visited has tried to provide you with search results from Google. Unfortunately, the site violates our terms of service so your search could not be completed."  I'm not sure what to make of that, but I will check back and advise.  They do have exactseek ads on their site.  I can't remember if that violates G's TOS on search boxes, but I wouldn't be surprised.

Update 2: 10/01/05: Tsection's onsite Google search is functioning again

Update 3:  04/25/08: Page Rank ( - ) 5 to 3.  Same link requirements as above still apply.

Update 4: 09/13/08: Page rank steady at 3

Update 03/03/2009: Page rank still at 3.  I could not find the link for WebSeoDesign, so I have submitted again, via the "Plain - express" plan.

Directory Link - a sparsely populated new general directory.  Most of their categories have few listings, so now is a good time to get listed.  There is not any inclusion time frame stated on the site.  ۩18

Update: 10/01/05: I submitted a client's site and it was listed in about 40 days

Update 2: 09/27/06: All interior pages are returning a 404 error currently.

Update 3: 09/28/06: Directory is OK again. Must have been a temporary issue.

Update 4: 04/25/08: Page Rank ( - ) from 4 to 3.

Update 5: 09/13/08: Page rank steady at 3

Update 03/03/2009: Page rank still at 3.  I submitted this site to test time it takes to list.  Regular links, and regular links with reciprocal link is free.  Featured links are $14.99.  I filled out the form and clicked on "continue" but it isn't going anywhere, just stays on that same page, no error or clue.

UK Directory - Business Listings - Search the UK - Hand edited search directory for the UK at www.uk-web-index.co.uk.  That is their requested link text and description.  This is a general directory for "valid web sites based in the UK or be of relevance to the UK".  Since my site contains resources for webmasters (including those in the UK), I am going to submit and see what happens. They state that "Adding a link MAY increase the chance of getting your site listed!".  On their confirmation page, they state "We will send you an email once your link has been validated". I submitted my resource section, but they listed my home page.  So far I have not received their email notifying me of my listing.

Update: 07/14/05: PageRank™ reduced from 5 to 4

Update 2: 02/18/06: ( + ) PageRank was increased from 4 to 5.  Although this listing is for businesses in the UK and part of the search feature includes the county the business is in, there are a few listings in there for outside the UK.

Update 3: 09/13/08: Page Rank ( - ) from 5 to 3.

Update 03/03/2009: Page rank still 3.

More Free Directory Listings - Page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, Duds, Duds-2

Credits:  There are numerous "Directories of Directories" on the internet, but most are not very useful.  I would like to thank the two that I have found invaluable in compiling my list of reviews.

http://info.vilesilencer.com/ - An excellent compilation of SEO Friendly Free Directory Listings.  Thanks Dan!

http://www.seocompany.ca/directory/free-web-directories.html - another good resource that provides some additional information, such as the link popularity, page saturation and IP address sharing.  Thanks Bob!

Notes:

G, Y!, M - (IBL Shown) Denotes search engine shows directory as a back link to either this or a client's site. G = Google, Y! = Yahoo!, and M = MSN. Note: Yahoo! is known to show the largest sample of back links, Google only shows a very small sample and MSN shows something in between.  The fact the an IBL (inbound back link) is not shown in Google or MSN is not very significant.

§ - There is some debate on whether a 302 scripted redirect passes PageRank™, but due to possible problems the directories that use 302 redirects have been moved to "Duds".

۩ - These directories share the same Class C IP address (/24) block as other directories
 (# denotes directories that share same IP address - example = ۩2)

* - See information within the description/review for further details

Directory home page Toolbar PageRank™ updated as of 07/26/2008.

Effective 10/20/05, I am adding a + or - to the PR value and the update note so it's easier to see which direction the directories PageRank is moving. If there is not a + or -, there isn't any change from the previous PR export.

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