Free Directory Listings - Duds

Updated: May 10, 2008

This is the Free Directory "Duds" page.  Directories listed here have either not listed sites after a reasonable period of time or have other problems, such as 302 redirects, not responding to repeated status queries after saying to contact them.  I have attempted to submit at least two sites to each directory and will update this page as information and experience is gathered.

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.

Update: 08/13/05: I have started to move directories that use a 302 redirect on their links to the "Duds" category.  Some of these directories can and do produce some traffic, but the since the search engines have problems with 302 redirects, I thought this was the best place for them.

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

SightQuest Directory - A directory featuring 24 hour inclusion (they claim).  They do provide you with a handy status link to check on your submission and they require a link back.  Here's their required link text for my submission > SightQuest-web design - animated gifs, coral draw, free website builders - Web design tools such as graphics, javascript, and resources for web designers.  Their links utilize a script which produces a 302 redirect (not a static link).

Update: * PageRank™ reduced from 6 to 5 on 07/14/05

Update 2: 08/13/05: SiqhtQuest Directory has produced some traffic for me, but due the my new review criteria stated above about 302 redirect usage, I have moved them here.

Update 3: 10/22/05: ( - ) Home page PageRank reduced from 5 to 0 and they appear to have been delisted by Google (I have added a "nofollow" attribute to their link)

Update 4: 04/04/06: ( + ) This directory has it's PR returned from 0 to 5, but they are not listing in Google

Directory Gold - A new directory without many listings, which could be a good thing as it is easy to get accepted.  They require a link back and by using a tracking ID on their link, you are given a featured listing if you send them traffic (details).  They do not state an inclusion time frame.  They send you an email when you are listed.  Their links utilize a script which produces a 302 redirect (not a static link). That the link from them shows in Yahoo! in puzzling since 302 aren't supposed to show as back links.

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

Update 2: 10/22/05: ( + ) Home page PageRank increased from 4 to 5

Truly Open Directory - Wiki styled directory based on the ODP category system.  Instant submissions.  Similar to wikidweb (see above), but not as nice.  

* Update:  PageRank™ dropped from 4 to 0 in the 04/22/05 PR update (I thought it might have been a glitch, so I checked 6 weeks later and it is still PR0).  This directory may now be considered as a spam site.  Since I am considering these pages as resources, I am going to leave the link here for now, live dangerously and continue to monitor the situation.

Update 2: 07/14/05: This directory is not currently showing a home page.  The URI only shows their directory structure.  I think this one might be a goner.

Update 3: 07/24/05: Ten days later and this site is still not showing a home page.  I will check again in a while and then if it's still the same, I will put this in the duds category.

Update 4: 08/13/05: This directory is not functioning (no home page) and was therefore moved to "Duds". (Note:  I have added a "nofollow" attribute on this link to play it safe)

Update 5: 10/22/05: This directory now has this message displayed on their site: "Offline for maintenance... We'll be returing (sic) soon...."

Update 6: 04/04/06: ( + ) The PageRank has returned to this directory, from 0 to 4, but is still offline.

Update 7: 07/13/06: ( - ) PageRank decreased from 4 to 3. I wonder if this is really going to come back...I doubt it!

Jayde B2B Search Engine - has added a static link to their listings and therefore, has been moved back to the regular listings.

All Links Directory - 09/10/05: All Links Directory has quit using 302 redirects and therefore is moved back to regular listings.

Zeezo.com - an unusual human edited directory which allows you to browse by region or category.  They call their listings "classified ads".  They call themselves "A search engine you can use" and "the equal opportunity search engine", but it is set up as non-searchable directory.

* The site states "The review process takes 1 or 2 business days and you will receive a confirmation email once the listing is approved and appears on our website".  I submitted this site on 06/28/05 and I will advise on progress.

Update: 7/14/05: ( - ) PageRank™ reduced from 6 to 5.

The Deregular Web Directory - Free Submission. Only quality listings, hand-approved! Submit your website. That is their requested link text.  This is a general directory to appears to be well run.  They send you a submission confirmation email and will advise you if you are accepted.  * In return for a link back your listing "will also be added as a Premium link, (meaning your site will be listed at the top of the page in your category)".

The only time frame reference was on the submission completion page, which states, "we will review it shortly". I submitted this site on 07/24/05 and will advise on progress.

Update: 07/30/05 this directory's home page is showing a "grey bar" (no PR info available - down from a previous PR5).  When checking with several PageRank tools it shows PR0. Interior pages are showing PR0 on the toolbar.  Google does not return any pages with the site: command.  I will recheck this information in a few days, but it appears this directory has major problems.

Update 2: 08/13/05: I moved this directory to "Duds" due to being de-listed in Google. (Note:  I have added a "nofollow" attribute on this link to play it safe).

Update 3: 10/22/05: They are still delisted, but their grey bar changed to PR0

Update 4: 04/02/06: This site says the directory is open but not accepting submission and they may start again or may not, depending on their ability to get re-listed in Google.

Update 5: 05/14/06: This directory has permanently closed. They say on their home page: "Unfortunately the Deregular Directory is closed. No more site submissions, no more directory, it is simply no more! It wont be back :(" and on their directory page: "We apologise  [sic] for the inconvenience but the Deregular Directory is now closed. This was caused by a software error, and a backup getting corrupted. We could have started a new website directory, but at this point in time have too many other projects on. Again, we apologise to those who had links in the directory and we wish you well.

Update 6: 07/16/06: This site is now a blog. Therefore, I will not be updating this review any further.

askrobo.com - is a human edited general directory with a really cute robot mascot.  You must confirm you submission via email.  They do not have a stated inclusion time frame stated on their site.  They will email you when your submission is accepted.  They give your review priority if you link back to them.  I submitted this site with a link back on 06/28/05 and will advise on progress.

Update: 08/07/05: When I went to this directory to see if I was listed, in case they forgot to email me, I found that the site was unavailable.  I checked via megaproxy and it was unavailable too.  I will recheck later and advise.

Update 2: 08/28/05: Directory continues to be unavailable, plus info.vilesilencer reports in their 08/22/05 list that site no longer accepts submissions (that's an understatement). Therefore, I moved it here to Duds.

Update 3: 10/22/05: ( - ) Home page PageRank reduced from 5 to 4, but still remains unavailable

Update 4: 01/23/06: This is unreachable now

Update 5: 04/04/06: ( - ) The site is still unavailable and the PR has been reduced from 4 to 0

CANLinks: Canadian and worldwide directory - 10/22/05: moved back to the regular free directory listings since it is accepting listings again. I was originally moved to Duds on 09/24/05 because it was not accepting listings

Dirone.com - An interesting directory that arranges listings by keyword.  They have a paid option for premium placement for $29.95 with a 48 hour review time frame.  The free listings are subject to editor approval.  No inclusion time frame is stated for free listings, they will advise via email of their decision.  I submitted this site on 03/27/05 and will advise on progress.

Update: 08/22/05: * This directory remained a PR7 in the recent PR update, but as noted in the newest info.vilesilencer list, it is now PR0 (banned?) and does not show in Google's indexed.  I have also added a nofollow tag to play it safe.

Update 2: 09/24/05: Moved here to "Duds" due to delisting by Google and because they only appear to have accepted a few site in 2005.  I have submitted two sites (this site + a client's quality site) and it's been 6 months since my first submission.

Update 3: 10/22/05: This site remains delisted by Google.

Update 4: 07/13/06: ( + ) PageRank increased from 0 to 1, but the site is still delisted by Google

Agada Directory - A directory with the usual categories and simple submission process.  No review time frame is stated on the site. I submitted this site on 04/06/05 and have not been listed.  I submitted a client's site and it was listed in 11 days.

Update: * PageRank™ reduced from 6 to 4 on 07/14/05.

Update 2: 08/22/05: * This directory was downgraded in the recent PR update, but as noted in the newest info.vilesilencer list, it is now PR0 (banned?) and does not show in Google's indexed.  I have also added a nofollow tag to play it safe.

Update 3: 09/24/05: This site was moved here, to "Duds" due to being delisted by Google.

Update 4: 10/08/05: I don't know when, but my client's site was removed sometime in the last 5 months.

Dhundo Business Directory & Business Search Engine - Dhundo a exclusive business web directory and business search engine providing the users information on companies, products, services, industry and trade. That is their requested reciprocal link text.  After submitting your site you have to email them with your reciprocal link location.  After submission their success page states "The entry will be reviewed soon" (no other time frame on site).  I submitted this site on 04/12/05, emailed them with the link location and I will advise on progress.

Update: 08/22/05: * This directory remained a PR4 in the recent PR update, but as noted in the newest info.vilesilencer list, it is now PR0 (banned?) and does not show in Google's indexed.  I have also added a nofollow tag to play it safe.

Update 2: 09/24/05: This site was moved here, to "Duds", due to delisting by Google.

Update 3: 04/04/06: ( + ) This directory is still not listed in Google, but their PR increased from 0 to 5 (go figure!)

Clickey.com - Search engine and directory which lists only top level domains (no free sub-domain sites).  They claim your submission is reviewed within 48 hours.  You need to have an email address at your domain for registration or complete a special process. You can edit your listing after acceptance. My site was listed in 18 days and a client's site was listed in 7 days.

Update: 12/03/05: * This directory uses a search query to link to interior category pages and therefore does not pass PageRank and link popularity. I just caught this (sorry for missing it) when reviewing interior PR and so I moved it to Duds.

Geeks On Steroids.com - has cleaned up their JavaScript redirects and gained interior PR, so I moved them back to regular listings (05/14/06)

Directory Share - A directory with an unusual category structure.  I had a hard time deciding what category to submit to.  The have an 48 hour review Express Submission option for a one-time $49 fee, which is refundable if they do not list your site.  They notify you by email of your submission status.  This site was submitted on 04/06/05 and I will advise on progress.

Update:  07/14/05: This free directory has not gained any PageRank™ in two updates.  Not a good sign.

Update 2: 10/08/05: I just received an email to confirm my email address and to tell me I was still in the submission queue. That's it bit longer than the stated 4 - 8 weeks.

Update 3: 10/22/05: ( + ) Home page PageRank increased from 0 to 2.

Update 4: 12/03/05: info.vilesilencer says this directory no longer accepts submissions and I confirmed that, so I moved it to Duds.

Update 5: 01/23/06: The site says it's down for scheduled maintenance

123 Kidz Area.com - Your Family Internet Directory - Child Safe Family Friendly. < That is part of their requested listing description. This is a somewhat general, human edited directory. They email you when you are approved or declined with a reason. They state the review may take up to a week. If you link back to them, they give you a id code to use so your traffic to them is counted and your listing will be elevated according to the amount of traffic.

They also offer sponsored listings for $50 per year. You must submit and be accepted and then request the sponsored listing.

They use a 302 redirect for counting traffic that is masked with a JavaScript. I submitted this site with a reciprocal link on 10/15/05 and will advise on progress.

Update: 12/04/05: I moved this here because of the 302 redirect

Update 2: 02/18/06: ( - ) The PageRank of this site was decreased from 6 to 5.

More Duds on Page 2

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 09/28/06. (Note: There are a small percentage of datacenters that are showing the PageRank from the 07/13/06 export, so I am using the "majority view." I was waiting to see if the datacenters would all align, so I am actually making this update on 11/19/06, but dating the PR to 09/28/06.)

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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