"Free Open Directory Lists" ? huh ?

Did you mean Open Directory RDF Dump [rdf.dmoz.org]?

Jimnoble,

I meant, Free Open Directory "sites" list.

What do you mean by Free Open Directory "sites" ?

I'm guessing vancyborg means lists of directories that he can get listed in "for free". Unfortunately, due to forum spamming in the directory space, that's the type of list we won't allow.

HOWEVER, doe's DMOZ have a good list of topical directories where vancyborg might look for listing / link-building opportunities?

What's the best way to search DMOZ for topical directories?

Is there a particularly good search query or search process?

[edited by: Webwork at 2:37 pm (utc) on May 10, 2008]

You could try site:dmoz.org intitle:directories niche [google.com]. May well depend on how large the niche is, though.

Finding quality directories that offer "free listings" is a recurring issue. I'm aware of endless lists and endless posts in other forums about "free listings in quality directories" but, after having scanned the directories in the lists I will say - without hesitation - that the lists are largely BS. They are promotional lists, not lists of "quality directories" by any measure that I would apply. The "quality" can only be seen through rose coloured glasses.

Instead of providing another list here, or instead of providing links to lists elsewhere, I HAVE A QUESTION:

For any given website, which presumably focuses on a particular industry vertical or subject, what's the best way to identify quality linking opportunities in industry or subject themed directories?

This isn't a thread to post your directory or a list of directories OR your favorite directory. This thread is about how to search for and identify quality directories themed to your industry.

Is it as simple as searching "subject + 'directory'"?

Subject + 'guide'?

Does a website with a quality directory "doesn't always look like a directory (only) website"? Maybe folks are looking for the wrong thing? A website may have a section dedicated to directory type listings (not a mere reciprocal link directory) that sometimes functions as an authority directory for an industry.

Just search for the generic keyword of the subject itself and see who pops to the top of your search, do a couple of specific narrow cast long tail searches, and then do a local search or two and you should have several good candidates in the top 10 results of those searches.

My site get over 900 new submissions a month which is pretty good for a niche directory just because it shows up at the top of many searches for it's niche.

People sign up in droves, 20K-30K visitors daily, lot's of direct advertisers and I send them lots of qualified traffic.

Whether you would consider it a quality directory or not, I don't care, it gets the job done! ;)

[edited by: incrediBILL at 1:44 am (utc) on May 11, 2008]

>> I'm guessing vancyborg means lists of directories that he can get listed in "for free".

Yes, i meant exactly this one. Thanks Webwork.

At this point, since solutions have been suggested and since we're now at the point where hotlinks to "solutions" are now being posted (and removed) I am going to lock this thread.

Thanks to everyone who suggested a solution.

[edited by: Webwork at 3:45 pm (utc) on May 26, 2008]