Spotlight Directory
| ||||
Directory Update
The latest update is finally done, and yes we know it took eons to deliver. However, much of the time was spent engaging in a major attitude shift, thanks mostly to many of the directories that we readded from the last update. After readding those directories we discovered, upon closer inspection, that their editorial standards were simply non existent. The amount of junk sites being listed was almost outweighing the good sites. Seeing such a large volume of garbage being allowed through these directories prompted us to begin reviewing each and every directory more closely to ensure that they are policing their own strict guidelines. IVS has chosen to err on the side of caution and remove directories that we believe have weak editing principles, whilst also asssting their owners in cleaning them up. We want to work with directory owners to improve the quality of their listings, but those we have identified as having a problem, must first recognise that the sorts of sites they are allowing into their directories is drastically reducing their quality and sending them perilously close to being correctly labelled "link farms".
To demonstrate how serious we believe the situation to be, and how determined we are to encourage a change, we have made a call to action on both the Digital Point Forums and IVS Forums, and have begun running through the free directory list alphabetically to locate and remove the worst offenders, whilst also highlighting the junk listings within their directories that are causing them to be largely devalued. We have removed 51 directories this update under the reason weak editing detected. Note that we have only been through the A-E alphabetical section of the free list, so this is a significant removal considering we had around 530 directories prior to this update, which now stands at 416.
Another issue that has come to our attention is the proliferation of iEntry Network directories. As soon as these existing directories are bought by iEntry, their seo-friendly nature is removed, and any-and-all submissions are then accepted by these directories (there is no editorial standard whatsoever). It has been suggested that the purchase of these directories is being used solely as a device to collect real email addresses, which iEntry then uses to send out its vast array of newsletters (they have in excess of 20 different newsletters by a recent count). We have removed 45 of these iEntry owned directories which was as many as we were able to locate on our first sweep through the lists. We will remain vigilant and would ask that if you come across any that remain in the lists that you bring them to our immediate attention.
We have only included 29 new directories to the general lists this update, as per our new stricter standards we will be attempting to prevent weakly edited directories from entering the directory list. We turned away 30-40 directories that were suggested during this period, simply because they had been newly created and were starting off on the wrong foot with terrible editorial principles. We hope that by discouraging this practice we are holding up our end of the bargain and helping the industry to find its feet. We want everyone involved in directories to really focus on quality because many of these resources, even well established ones that were previously highly regarded are descending into poorly disguised link farms. This in turn tends to have the entire industry tarred with the same brush, which is extremely unfair to those who are working hard to produce quality resources.
Please remember also that the IVS lists have always been focused on locating and promoting the quality aspect of directories. We are not here to list every directory ever created, and that has never been our aim. We began the SEO friendly trend by locating and grouping those like directories together, thus creating the original seo friendly directory lists. Just being "SEO Friendly" is no longer good enough as a means to measure the value of directories. Most newly created directories will all begin on an SEO friendly script, so we have to raise the bar again to ensure that resources that are being created, and those that are well established, continue to offer a quality placement. If you are a directory owner that needs help with cleansing their directory of poor listings, please visit the forums and ask for a review of your listings, and the community will be more than happy to help you to improve your directory.
-- Dan
Info Vilesilencer - The original SEO Friendly Directory List