Web directory
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2008-07-11T14:55:50Z
EurekaLott
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Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/88.240.30.234|88.240.30.234]] ([[User talk:88.240.30.234|talk]]) to last version by EurekaLott
A '''web directory''' or '''link directory''' is a [[directory (databases)|directory]] on the [[World Wide Web]]. It specializes in [[hyperlink|linking]] to other [[web site]]s and [[Categorization|categorizing]] those links.
A web directory is not a [[Web search engine|search engine]], and does not display lists of web pages based on [[keyword (internet search)|keyword]]s, instead it lists web sites by category and subcategory. The categorization is usually based on the whole web site, rather than one page or a set of keywords, and sites are often limited to inclusion in only one or two categories. Web directories often allow site owners to directly submit their site for inclusion, and have editors review submissions for fitness.
RSS directories are similar to web directories, but contain collections of [[RSS feeds]], instead of links to web sites.
==General<!-- needs a better heading -->==
Some directories are very general in scope and list websites across a wide range of categories, regions and languages. But there are also a large number of niche directories, which focus on restricted regions, single languages, or specialist sectors. One type of niche directory with a large number of sites in existence, is the [[shopping directory]] for example. Shopping directories specialize in the listing of retail [[e-commerce]] sites.
Examples of well known, general, web directories are [[Yahoo! Directory]] and the [[Open Directory Project]] (ODP). ODP is significant due to its extensive categorization and large number of listings and its [[open content|free availability]] for use by other directories and search engines.<ref name="newscom">Paul Festa (December 27, 1999), [http://www.news.com/2100-1023-234893.html Web search results still have human touch], ''CNET News.com'', retrieved September 18, 2007</ref>
A debate over the quality of directories and databases continues, as search engines use ODP's content without real integration, and some experiment using [[Data clustering|clustering]]. There have been many attempts to make directory development easier, whether using a "links for all<!-- what does this mean? -->" type link submission site using a script, or any number of available [[PHP]] portals and programs. Recently, [[social software]] techniques have spawned new efforts of categorization, with [[Amazon.com]] adding [[Tag (metadata)|tagging]] to their product pages.
Directories have various types of listings, often dependent upon the price paid for inclusion:
*Free Submission - there is no charge for the review and listing of the site
*Reciprocal Link - a link back to the directory must be added somewhere on the submitted site in order to get listed in the directory
*Paid Submissions - a one-time or recurring fee is charged for reviewing/listing the submitted link
*No Follow - there is a rel="nofollow" attribute associated with the link, meaning search engines will not follow the link.
*Featured Listing - the link is given a premium position in a category (or multiple categories) or other sections of the directory, such as the homepage
*Bid for Position - where sites are ordered based on bids
*[[affiliate marketing|Affiliate links]] - where the directory earns commission for referred customers from the listed websites
==Human-edited directories==
A '''human-edited directory''' is created and maintained by editors who add links based on the policies particular to that directory.
Human-edited directories are often targeted by [[search engine optimization|SEOs]] on the basis that links from reputable sources will improve rankings in the major [[Web search engine|search engine]]s. Some directories may prevent search engines from rating a displayed link by using redirects, [[nofollow]] attributes, or other techniques.
Many human-edited directories, including the [[Open Directory Project]] and the [[World Wide Web Virtual Library]], are edited by volunteers, who are often experts in particular categories. These directories are sometimes criticized due to long delays in approving submissions, or for rigid organizational structures and disputes among volunteer editors.
In response to these criticisms, some volunteer-edited directories have adopted [[wiki]] technology, to allow broader community participation in editing the directory (at the risk of introducing lower-quality, less objective entries).
Another direction taken by some web directories is the paid for inclusion model. This method enables the directory to offer timely inclusion for submissions and generally fewer listings as a result of the paid model. They often offer additional listing options to further enhance listings, including features listings and additional links to inner pages of the listed web site. These options typically have an additional fee associated, but offer significant help and visibility to sites and/or their inside pages.
Today submission of websites to web directories is considered as a common SEO (search engine optimization) technique to get vital back-links for the submitted web site. One distinctive feature of 'directory submission' is that it can not be fully automated like search engine submissions. Manual directory submission is a tedious and time consuming job and is often outsourced by the webmasters.
==Bid for Position directories==
'''Bid for Position directories''' or also known as bidding web directories, are paid-for-inclusion web directories where the listings of websites in the directory are ordered according to their bid amount. They are special in that the more a person pays, the higher up the list of websites in the directory they go. With the higher listing, the website becomes more visible and increases the chances that visitors who browse the directory will click on the listing. There are PHP scripts (free and paid versions) for the management of bid for position directories include phpLinkBid (paid), Link Bid Script (free) and a modified link bid version for phpLD (phpLinkDirectory).
==See also==
*[[List of web directories]]
==References==
{{reflist}}
<!--- Do not list your web directory or list of web directories here; they will be removed quickly. --->
[[Category:Web directories|*]]
[[Category:World Wide Web]]
[[Category:Web development]]
[[ar:دليل مواقع الوب]]
[[ca:Directori web]]
[[cs:Internetový katalog]]
[[da:Linkkatalog]]
[[de:Webverzeichnis]]
[[es:Directorio web]]
[[fr:Annuaire web]]
[[id:Direktori web]]
[[he:מדריך אתרים]]
[[nl:Webindex]]
[[ja:ウェブディレクトリ]]
[[pt:Diretórios de sites]]
[[ro:Catalog de internet]]
[[ru:Каталог ресурсов в Интернете]]
[[simple:Web directory]]
[[fi:Linkkikirjasto]]
[[sv:Länkkatalog]]
[[th:เว็บไดเรกทอรี]]