Honestly if a resource is good, Google have absolutely no problem with people paying to get into it. What they DO have issues with is poor quality. So what can make a site 'poor'?

1 . Standard script and taxonomy (categories)

2 . Standard content (bought databases that appear across the web)

3 . Bulk submitted descriptions and titles.

4 . BROKEN LINKS or REDIRECTED LINKS

I have shouted the last one as those are CLEAR indicators of a poor directory. Check for broken links and check again, and if they are dead for a period, remove them. EVEN IF someone has paid for them, if the site is down for a period of time, contact the owner, and deal with it. Do NOT allow broken links in your directory as this is a CLEAR indicator of a poorly managed site. This actually applies to all sites, not just directories.

Let's look at it a bit closer.

1 . Standard script and taxonomy (categories)
A site needs to ADD to the web to be of worth, if it doesn't add, then it is just clutter. Using a standard script and a standard off the shelf ready made set of categories (known as taxonomy) is a sure fire way to be seen as just another short-cutter.

Put some thought into your directory and GROW IT, encourage people to request new categories, and if someone submits to a busy category, take a look at it and see if it can be split into sub cats.

2 . Standard content (bought databases that appear across the web)
This is another thing. If YOU have bought it, chances are that OTHERS will have bought it. use it as is and you are in for a duplicate content down-scoring. SEED a directory by all means, but enhance it with other genuine sites.

3 . Bulk submitted descriptions and titles.
People submit sites, and they submit them to LOTS of other sites. so imagine they submit them to 200 other sites, in the same categories etc. After a while they will have submitted many client sites, to the same categories, they and others will be using a standards industry list (seo friendly etc) and they will also be using the same title and description.

The best way to handle this is to look at the title and description and rewrite it. Obviously look at the site, check it out, make sure it is good enough to be in the directory, then re-write the title and description. MAKE IT UNIQUE TO YOU!

Here is another tip. if you have empty categories, and someone submits to one, then immediately go out, search Google/yahoo/msn whatever, and add another 4 sites into that category. Make sure they compliment the initial submission. NOW you have a unique page with relevant links on it and some decent content.

Great post OWG

Gave you some rep for your great ideas OWG!

Originally Posted by SkinnerW

You mean "stupid"?

Some people just didn't get the clue...

Yes, considering all the recent actions by Google, I guess it is OK to call those web directories/decisions stupid

Meti