I have been submitting my site to many directories but what is the difference between paid and free directories? Will paid directories help me more in terms of improving my site's pagerank?

The difference?

Paid = Cost Money
Free = Cost No Money

Doesn't matter if they are paid or free, they could both equally provide the same value.

Originally Posted by ssandecki

The difference?

Paid = Cost Money
Free = Cost No Money

Doesn't matter if they are paid or free, they could both equally provide the same value.

What you mean is there is no difference in terms of SEO? Then why do people still submitting their sites to paid directories?

Because SEO is NOT the be all and end all. Some people do know that getting qualified visitors is FAR more important than SE ranking, and some directories might just help there.

Apart from that, so many gullible "SEO's" are of the misguided belief that all directories are inestimable value for SE rankings, and believe the "Search Engine Friendly", "Boost your rankings" etc statements that so many directory owners claim their directory will do. 95% of them are wrong of course.

Then of course there are the PR idiots and lets not even get started on those.

If you can chose the location for your link I think that paid one is much more better.

Originally Posted by chrishirst

Because SEO is NOT the be all and end all. Some people do know that getting qualified visitors is FAR more important than SE ranking, and some directories might just help there.

Apart from that, so many gullible "SEO's" are of the misguided belief that all directories are inestimable value for SE rankings, and believe the "Search Engine Friendly", "Boost your rankings" etc statements that so many directory owners claim their directory will do. 95% of them are wrong of course.

Then of course there are the PR idiots and lets not even get started on those.

I agree. Traffic tends to be targeted from directories. Few but targeted.

As to the difference, it depends if the Paid directories use the money they earn to maintain their site properly. If it does, its a good investment as it can be an indication that it would stay for a long, long time.

SEO-wise, both type helps in SERP so long as you submit your site to the apt category. As to PR, I doubt it as most are nofollow.

Indeed, many paid directories are no better in any way than free ones; while some paid directories do reinvest some of the income in improvement, SEO and promoting the directory.