Building links and sharing content through Web Directories have been the norm for the world wide web and for search engine optimization for a long time. But a lot have changed on the web and with Google, the leading search engine. The question now is whether web directories are still relevant in this age of advanced Google Algorithimic Updates. We will learn more about that.

Head of Web SPAM at Google John Mueller has thrown some insights when he said, “in general, no”. But the key words in that answer are “in general”. That’s the usual answer we get from John and, as much as we’d like to say we will dissect it, the truth is that we can only be speculating and interpreting things based on own knowledge and experience.

So we take some time to find out whether web directories are still useful for SEO today. But before then, let's look at some background information.

What Are Web Directories Really?

In order to better understand whether directories work or not, we have to create a background for them. Like an introduction.

Most people probably think of directories as just sites that list other sites. While that’s true, the reality is that they’re much more than that.

Before modern search engines, such as Google, web directories were THE INTERNET.

Source: https://www.todhost.com/blog/are-directories-still-useful-for-seo.html

Since the shutdown of DMOZ, no other directory can ever have the influence of that open directory project. It is one directory that can single handedly push your site on top of SERP if listed.

We were glad to have had, Questechie.com listed on DMOZ back then, and perhaps the only Nigerian technology blog.

That's sure a gloating right!