Posts: 8,445
Name: Steven Bradley
Location: Boulder, Colorado
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I don't think being listed in a directory will hurt your site. It's more that most directories won't help all that much. There are some general directories that will most likely help your site. The Yahoo directory is one. These directories have an editorial review process and there's no guarantee of the listing so the link is seen as one that's earned.
None will lower your PageRank. The worst case is they won't have an effect.
Many directories list any site that fills out a form. From a search engine perspective of seeing a link as a vote that auto accepting directory won't have much or any value since there's really no vote.
Niche directories might add a little more value in the sense that your site should end up with other sites that are related to yours. A search engine might see that as a way to help understand what your site is about.
The answer to your question is really 'it depends.' It depends on the value a search engine places in the particular directory. Some directories are probably seen as having a high value, but most are probably seen as having little value at best.
I don't think there's anything wrong with submitting to directories, but you probably won't see much benefit beyond a few of the better ones.
The one problem a new site might encounter is that because it has few links to start if you point a high percentage of low quality links at it a search engine might start seeing the site as low quality as well.
Submit to a few directories, but don't spend too much time on it. Work also to get higher quality links at the same time.
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