Directory Submission Is Getting More Costly

Directories that accept free submissions are quickly disappearing and paid ones are getting more expensive all the time. A recent forum discussion at High Rankings prompted me to revisit and update an article I authored in April last year entitled, "Directories: Love 'em or Leave 'em" The article remains the same for the most part - it is the list of directories and pricing that has changed a bit. Here are some of the changes that have occurred over the last year:

• Best of the Web has raised their annual submission fee from $39.95 to $49.95.
   
• I have removed BlueFind from my list of recommended directories due to the fact that Google no longer allows any "link juice" to pass as well as removing any PageRank value from their directory.
   
• Site-Sift has doubled their price for inclusion from $24.95 to $49.95.
   
• I have removed WebAtlas from my list of recommended directories for the same reason Bluefind was removed.
   
• I have added Sporge and Tygo to my list of reputable paid directories to submit to.

In the forum thread mentioned above as well as an additional one entitled "Directory Submissions ... Time = Money!", people are questioning whether submission to directories is till worth the time and effort. Some of us agree that a handful still are while others argue that they are a complete waste of time. One thing is evident - the days of gaining inclusion into free directories is becoming extinct. It will be up to each web site owners to choose for themselves whether they think directory submissions are worthwhile and to evaluate over time whether they are effective in driving traffic, increasing link popularity or both.