Getting your site listed in search engines and directories is an important part of building a successful site. Most people tend to think of search directories and engines as one in the same. However, they are actually both quite different. The only similarity between the two, in fact, is that they both serve the same purpose: to help people find web sites of interest to them
Search Engines: By far the most popular search engine around is Google. Other search engines include Lorming, Inktomi, AltaVista, AlltheWeb, and MSN.
Directories: Probably the most popular example of a directory is Yahoo. Other directories include Open Directory Project (dmoz.org) and Gimpsy.
The Differences between Search Engines and Directories
Difference #1: Search engines are run by robots; directories are run by human editors
The most notable difference between search engines and directories is that search engines aren’t updated by human editors like directories are. Instead, search engines are updated bi-monthly or monthly by robots—spiders and crawlers. What are spiders and crawlers? They are programs written by programmers at a particular search engine that basically locate a page, browse it, and then report whatever it finds back to the search engine’s database. What is found is then listed on the search engine.
Directories, on the other hand, are completely updated by human editors. What usually happens is that a person submits their site to the directory and then the editor will visit the site and see whether or not it is worthy of being listed in the directory. If it is, it will be grouped with other relevant sites in the directory. If not, it won’t be listed at all. Directories are typically harder to get listed in than search engines are for this reason. Human editors won’t allow in unworthy sites; search engine bots will. Directories are usually updated very frequently by the editors.
Difference #2: Search engines are free to get listed in; some directories are not. Many directories charge money for each submission. Search engines never charge a dime because their bots are solely responsible for listing web sites. There are, however, free directories which you can submit your site to.
Difference #3: Search engines are more popular and more used. People want convenience. Search engines offer this. All people have to do is type in a keyword into the search engine and relevant sites come up. Those who use directories have to go through the hassle of going through categories and sub-categories. This takes time and patience, both things that many busy people just don’t have.
Difference #4: Directories have listings grouped together by topic; search engines can sometimes be disorganized. When someone visits a directory, all they have to do is choose a category that interests them. Then, all the sites are relevant to that category will come up on the page. While search engines are usually effective, unrelated listings can sometimes come up in a search for a particular thing. There’s nothing worse than doing a search for cars and having an unrelated listing for cats come up. Unfortunately, this is occasionally the case with search engines because they are updated by robots, not humans.
Why are Search engines and Directories important to your site? There are a few reasons for why both are important to your site’s traffic. The most obvious reason is that the more you are listed, the more likely it is people will visit your site. If people see your site in both search engines and directories, they are more likely to visit it than if they just saw it in a search engine.
Even though directories aren’t as popular now, they are still well-used by people because they neatly group together sites in a particular category. So if you run an online web design business and are listed in the web design category of the directory, everyone who looks for web design in that directory will see your site.
Search engines are also important to your site because they will show your site if a particular keyword(s) is typed into the engine. If your site is listed in both directories and search engines, you will have more traffic than if your site were listed in one or the other.
Be sure to do whatever it takes to ensure that your site gets listed in both and you will reap the benefits.
Search engine bots and easy directory submission make it quick and painless for your site to get maximum exposure from both of these wonderful tools. So go ahead and take the steps necessary to get listed!
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
How often can I take traffic school in the state ...
By: goldielf | 23-07-2008
How often can I take traffic school in the state of California?
How often can I take traffic school in the state ...
By: goldielf | 23-07-2008
How often can I take traffic school in the state of California?
Red spider mites on tomatoes
By: Gary Blore | 22-07-2008
I have red spider mite infestation on my tomatoes. The red spider mite oil is very expensive here $25.00 for 4oz and it doesent work real well. I have heard there is a cheeper way by using liquid soap (dish soap) and water. Do you know how much to use or does this really work? I need to get on this quick. Gary
Has anyone out there ever received a traffice ...
By: hiphugher | 21-07-2008
Has anyone out there ever received a traffice citation for stopping over the line at a stop sign? Incredulously, I received a citation because my front wheels were over the line by about a foot? I was not speeding, there was no one in the cross walk or waiting to cross and it was not a major intersection but a residential neighborhood?
Are there any ir traffic controller trainee ...
By: Bob iannacone | 21-07-2008
Are there any ir traffic controller trainee openings
Army Post Office
By: Slingo Slim | 21-07-2008
What is the APO number for military stationed in Seol, Korea?
Q&A Powered by:
Latest SEO Articles
Recycle the Traffic to Your Website
By: G.Entp29 | 25/07/2008
Last but not the least, joining various web forums and various online communities at blogs, can be another effective way to increase website traffic. The key here again is to build a strong reputation for you in the online community. Visit as many blogs as you can and leave a genuine comment there. Do not forget to add the link to your website in your comment. Likewise, in order to increase website traffic, you can also join some good online communities that are interested in your niche in vario
How To Get The Most Out Of Your Blog
By: Jonathan Hook | 25/07/2008
Blogging is the day's buzzword and you really need to get on the blogging train if you want to make some cool cash in a small time. Are you interested in finding out how you can make the most out of your blog? Keep reading then.
Why Optimizing Title Tags, it is Important
By: G.Entp29 | 25/07/2008
One other lucrative point that Ad Word Analyzer revealed to me that succeeded in motivating me to research this anomalie further. One thousand four hundred and ten people searched the keyword phrase "optimizing title tags page" last month and I am sure about the same amount of people will do the same this month.
Link Popularity Will Increase Your Page Rank
By: Praveen Kumarii | 25/07/2008
An extremely large number of web masters are in a quandary. They have spent huge amounts on getting beautifully designed pages with the latest software and animation and they also offer the best products and services. Why then isn’t anybody paying their sites a visit? Every day, thousands of websites are launched on the ever growing World Wide Web.
Getting Help From A Successful Internet Marketing Company
By: Phoenix Delray | 24/07/2008
This article discusses about the advantages of having an internet marketing company help you in building traffic to your site and increase your rankings.
Desirable Alternatives to the Big Three
By: Sandi Baker | 24/07/2008
There are alternatives for ranking your niches and getting your site noticed. I will explain how each of these work, the benefits, and who they are. Then you can reap the rewards.
Why Optimizing is Important - Title Tags
By: G.Entp30 | 24/07/2008
One other lucrative point that Ad Word Analyzer revealed to me that succeeded in motivating me to research this anomalie further. One thousand four hundred and ten people searched the keyword phrase "optimizing title tags page" last month and I am sure about the same amount of people will do the same this month. Which means there is a market out there of people that need information to bring them up to speed on search engine optimization. Ad Word Analyzer is warming up for my next Google Adwords
"professional Seo” is Dedicated to Delivering Quality SEO Results
By: Guinanie Almonte | 24/07/2008
The professional SEO (search engine optimization) knows that if you want to be found in the top of the search results for a competitive keyword term, you have to cover all your basics and more
More from Terry Detty
Internet Banking and Privacy Policies Information
By: Terry Detty | 20/02/2008 | ECommerce
Privacy policies and legislation all play a role in keeping your rights of privacy in a good place.
The Elements of Targeted Global Marketing
By: Terry Detty | 23/11/2007 | Online Promotion
If it is possible to send out the same message worldwide in a relevant and cost-effective way, it sure must be put into practice but the challenge is really big.
The Correct Way to Exploit Keyword Phrases at your Site
By: Terry Detty | 21/11/2007 | Online Promotion
The reality which many webmasters have seen in their own experiences is that if you aim for everybody you will most certainly end up with hardly anybody. The proper approach and use of keyword phrases on your site is bound to revolutionize your fortunes online.
How to Blend Adsense Ads With your Website..
By: Terry Detty | 20/11/2007 | Online Promotion
You have the ability to change the color, format, and style of the advertisements placed on your website. You also get to determine where they are placed. This makes the idea of participating in Adsense advertising even more appealing.
What is Adsense and How Can it Benefit You?
By: Terry Detty | 19/11/2007 | Advertising
The online help and customer service of Google Adsense will give you all the information you need to know as well as help you with any questions or concerns along the way.
The Importance of Google Adsense..
By: Terry Detty | 15/11/2007 | Online Promotion
Taking the time to educate yourself about Adwords and how they can promote your business in Google Adsense will be a great investment in the future of your business. The various tools available to help make the process easier should be taken advantage of.
The Corporate Image Speaks
By: Terry Detty | 13/11/2007 | Networking
For any corporation it is very important to create a distinct image in the market. This is known as Corporate Image which distinguishes the corporation from its competitors and provides a picture of it to the general public.
Make Targeted Adsense Results Easy
By: Terry Detty | 11/11/2007 | Advertising
As an advertisement host, Adsense is a great opportunity to make money. The key for both parties to benefit the most is by targeting the results. This includes using keywords and coding to get particular ads and to prevent advertising for something you don’t want on your website.
Internet 
